WO2009001072A1

WO2009001072A1 - Entertainment device

Info

Publication number: WO2009001072A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/002164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair Hopkins
Original assignee: Inspired Gaming (Uk) Limited
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2008-06-24
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: GB0712456D0

Abstract

Pay to play entertainment machines or devices for gaming, gambling and other entertainment functions used in public spaces such as bars, clubs etc are networked and centrally controlled. Each entertainment device has at least one payment mechanism such as a coin acceptor or a card reader. The entertainment available on the machine is shown on display panel (220) which has a 'Popular' section (223), a 'New Games' section (227) and a 'Regulars' section (228). The content items shown on some or all of the sections are chosen according to the number of plays or selections made, for example over a given time period.

Description

ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE

The present invention relates to networked entertainment devices and in particular to entertainment machines or devices for use in public spaces such as bars, clubs, pubs, arcades and the like. Examples of such networked entertainment devices include video and/or audio jukeboxes, gambling machines such as slot machines including so-called 'one-armed bandits' and playing card game based systems, automated betting systems for both real and virtual events, video gaming machines and general arcade games.

There are a large number of different types of entertainment devices in the public space. Each type of device can have significantly different properties, in terms of the entertainment functions provided, the entertainment content available for display and use, and the permissible rules of operation of the machine. There has recently been a trend towards providing multi-function machines in which software and firmware can be configured on generic processor-based machines in order to provide a range of different possibilities for the type of entertainment content being offered. This enables common hardware to be used in many different environments, configured to provide entertainment content according to local requirements, legislation etc. This also enables entertainment content to be updated more readily as business requirements and popularity of entertainment content change.

For example, in a common application, a slot machine may provide an assortment of arcade games, quiz games and gambling games. Some of the entertainment content may be universal, i.e. provided on all machines of that type, while some may be selected by the manager of the premises in which the machine is operated. Some of the entertainment content may be admissible only during certain hours of the day, e.g. in the case of family pubs. The slot machine may be configured to display advertising material while in a standby mode of operation or during game play. The slot machine may be configured to display information related to local activities or events such as a happy hour drink offer or pub quiz. The local environment in which a machine operates, both real (e.g. physical and geographical location) and virtual (e.g. legislative and business environment) will collectively be referred to in this specification as the domain of operation.

Often, such machines have some form of payment mechanism, being coin, token or card operated.

There has also recently been a trend towards networking entertainment devices so that they can, to some extent, be controlled, configured and/or monitored remotely over the public telecommunications network. For example, it is now well-known for jukebox systems to routinely download new audio and video content from a central server as new content is released and becomes popular.

A problem with configuration of generic entertainment devices is the complexity of the task of ensuring that each device controlled within a large network is configured, maintained and operated in an appropriate manner for its current domain of operation. As suggested above, there are often a very large number of competing requirements that must be taken into account.

For example, the owner or operator of such entertainment devices may require specific controls in respect of entertainment content, pricing, advertising content etc, while allowing the local business (e.g. pub) in whose premises the device resides some flexibility in determining content which is locally popular, relevant to local trade, or useful in specific promotions. Furthermore, third parties such as licensees, sponsors, etc may have an interest in ensuring that advertising content appears in association with relevant entertainment content and possibly also at specific times and in specific formats. Furthermore, strict legislation controlling the use of entertainment devices is often determined on both a national and a regional level, as well as being specific to the type of premises in which the device is being operated and the type of entertainment content being offered. For example, legislation may govern both the type of entertainment content (e.g. gambling or game play) as well as the functionality (amount of payout or form of payout). Thus, ensuring that each entertainment machine in a large distributed network of machines is configured to operate correctly is a difficult task usually requiring complex preparation prior to installation and on-site service visits to configure and reconfigure machines.

A particular problem associated with the use of networks of entertainment devices with varying entertainment content is to ensure that all the entertainment devices have entertainment content suited to the customers at that venue.

Another problem is to ensure that each entertainment device has entertainment content which is suited to, and of interest to, the customers at that venue at the appropriate time of day.

Another particular problem associated with networks of entertainment devices is that they have a limited display area in which to show the content options which are available to the customer.

Another particular problem associated with entertainment devices are that there are many more content options available than can be displayed on the limited-size display panel of the device.

Attempts have been made to increase the content options readily available by categorising the options according to type and having a multi-page menu which can be successively displayed, but such an arrangement is cumbersome and of limited benefit.

It would be highly desirable for entertainment devices to have a display which reflects the customers' interest at the venue.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved entertainment device which overcomes some or all of the problems associated with prior art devices.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content; an adjustment module operable to provide presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at the entertainment device.

Preferably the device comprises any one or more of the following features:-

• the adjustment module is operable to provide the display of content in accordance with the number of plays of a content item and/or the frequency of plays of a content item in a predetermined time period.

• the adjustment module is operable to provide the display of content such that a new content item is weighted to ensure display.

• the adjustment module is operable to provide a display with the content items relating to the most plays, and/or the most frequent plays, in the most prominent positions on the display.

• the adjustment module is operable to provide a display with the content items relating to the most plays, and/or the most frequent plays, most prominently displayed on the display. • a custom unit to record the number and/or frequency of plays of content items and to modify the presentation of content items on a display of the device in accordance with data held at the custom unit.

• the adjustment module is operable in relation to plays of a video game and/or a gambling game on the device. • the plays of an audio track or video track on the device.

• the adjustment module is operable in dependence of activity at a physically local or adjacent device, and/or at a device of the same and/or similar type of device.

The present invention also provides a network of entertainment devices which are interconnected, an entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content; an adjustment module operable to provide presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at the entertainment device.

The network may have any one or more of the following features:

• the adjustment module of a device is operable in dependence of selected activity at another entertainment device in the network. • the adjustment module is operable in dependence of selected activity at another entertainment device in the network which is a local or adjacent entertainment device, and/or the same or similar type of entertainment device.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating an entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content; the method comprising providing presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at the entertainment device.

The method may include any one or more of the following features: • providing the display of content in accordance with the number of plays of a content item and/or the frequency of plays of a content item in a predetermined time period.

• providing the display of content such that a new content item is weighted to ensure display. • comprising providing a display with the content items relating to most plays, and/or the most frequent plays, in the most prominent positions on the display. • providing a display with the content items relating to the most plays and/or the most frequent plays most prominently displayed on the display.

• recording the number and/or frequency number of plays of content items and to modify the presentation of content items on a display of the device in accordance with data held so recorded.

• providing the presentations of content in relation to plays of a video game and/or a gambling game on the device.

• Providing the presentation of content in relation to plays of an audio track or video track on the device. • Providing the presentation of content in dependence of activity at a physically local or adjacent entertainment device, and/or at a entertainment device of the same and/or similar type of entertainment device.

The present invention also provides a program computer product, or a computer program, directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for performing the method of operating an entertainment device or network of the present invention when said product is run on a computer.

The present invention also provides a carrier, which may comprise electronic signals, for a computer program of the present invention, and also electronic distribution of a computer program product of the present invention.

Thus, in the present invention, an entertainment device may display content items which have been recently most popular. Also, those content items which have recently been selected most frequently may be displayed most prominently and/or in the best locations of the display.

In order that the invention may more readily be understood, embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic overview of a network of entertainment devices embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the display panel for an entertainment device in the network of Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic block diagrams of the entertainment device of Figure 2.

Throughout the present specification, the expression 'entertainment device' is used to encompass all forms of 'pay-to-play' type machines including gaming machines, gambling machines, audio and video jukeboxes and any other machine adapted to provide digital data content to a user, in return for payment via a payment mechanism. Thus, the expression 'entertainment device' may also encompass a machine adapted to deliver digital entertainment content (such as audio or video data) directly to a user device, such as an MP3 player.

The digital content delivered to the user may be of the form of an interactive program requiring continuous or periodic input from the user (e.g. a game or a quiz) via a user interface (e.g. keyboard, button set, touch screen, control console etc) or may be a non-interactive program requiring no input from the user once the program is initiated (e.g. the playing of music, a movie clip, advertising or other display content). More generally, the program which runs on the entertainment device to deliver digital content may be referred to herein as 'payload'.

The expression 'payment mechanism' is intended to encompass any form of physical and/or electronic payment mechanism receiving from the user a form of payment token including any one or more of a coin acceptor mechanism, a banknote reader, a credit card reader, a credit token, a proprietary card reader and the like.

There is shown in Figures 1 and 2, a network 1 of entertainment devices ED 1 to 4 are operated from a central network server 2. The devices ED 1 to 4 may be located in different commercial environments for example ranging between family pubs, nightclubs, and so on, with a variety of local requirements, legalisation and so on. They may have different types of customers, and, indeed, the customers for a particular device and location may vary widely at different times of the day. Figure 2 shows the display panel 220 of a gaming machine 221.

Display panel 220 has a display 222 with three major regions being: • "Popular" section 223 which shows the nine most popular games for that machine 221 at the relevant time period, the three most popular being "Shootem" 224, "Trick Shot" 225 and "Big Match" 226; • "New Games" section 227, which shows a new game "Pool" 228 introduced on the machine in the last week; • "Regulars" section 229, which shows "Gotcha" 230 which is always available for play at that machine 221 at the relevant time of day.

The "Popular" section 223 is the most prominent position of the display panel 220, namely at the top right part of the panel; also, the text is the most prominent, being the largest size, and coloured to be most visually striking and a strong contrast with the background.

The "New Games" section 227 is the next most prominent in location, being in the top left part of the panel, in size of section, and in size and colour contrast of text; finally followed by the "Regulars" section 229, which is the bottom region across the full width of the panel 220.

Figure 3 shows gaming machine 221 with content configuration files 236 relating to the configuration of content items 238, an adjustment module 240 with custom unit 242 which records each occasion on which a content item is selected, noting details of the content item selected, the actual time of day and any other data considered appropriate (for example, in relation to games or gambling, the result and/or winnings).

This information is held in store 244 of custom unit 242, and used by adjustment module 240 as a self learning routine to modify the content items and their position as appropriate as displayed on the display panel 220 in order to promote the items in any or all of the sections 223, 227 and 229 which are most frequently selected. In a variant, the content display is adjusted additionally and/or alternatively in relation to the number of plays of another entertainment device in the network, for example another local or nearby device (e.g. at the same location or premises) or another device for example which is the same or of similar type.

Figure 4 shows details of one implementation of the display panel 220 of Figure 2, in which a showtime core accesses the logical control software over a XMPP interface. The logical control software contains those components necessary to support the set of commands in the XMPP interface.

The content management modifies the process which builds the entertainment device user interface so that it calls the XMPP tier and uses the response.

Then the Flash menu obeys the Schedule.XML which is generated by the ConfigBuilder based on data in ConfigDb. The data in ConfigDb is manipulated using the Management Toolset.

All of the benefits of scheduling are made available on the entertainment device platform, without having to replace the main platform. These include:

• Multiple intersecting schedules (massive variety with manageable number of schedules);

• Time of day changes;

• Handsoff management; • Menu changes out of product release cycle;

• UI management of content.

The menu layout for the content items on display panel 220 is partially determined by the frequency of play of a particular content item in a venue, by creating a "wrapper" round the default xmlV2.ScheduleHandlerImpl which modifies the weightings of content. To the rest of the logical control software, it is immaterial which implementation of the schedule handler is in place. A schedule handler which is also a message listener is generated; the schedule handler notes in a private local file whenever a local content item is played. It then uses this local data to adjust the weighting of the content and widgets which are offered by the standard, ConfigDb driven ScheduleHandler.

The adjustment module 240 effects a weighing change in either direction and can be capped so that the overall effect is limited. This allows for an item which is new to be given a sufficiently high weighting that it is not driven off the menu by locally popular content.

Table 1

Table 1 shows a worked example within a single CategoryWidget: Action Games. Note that only four games are shown, so games with rank 5 are not offered to the customer. Note the following effects:

• A cap of 30 on the weight change prevents Shootem usurping the top position; • An extremely high weight for a new game (Pool) forces it into top slot;

• Coin Fall has fallen off the bottom. It is likely to stay there since inevitably, no new game play is possible. It can be reinstated by changing the underlying weight.

The way in which the weight change is calculated is configurable, and the configuration is set using the Extra Config. This allows different groups of unit to use different settings, since finding the optimum configuration may to be a lengthy and difficult process of trial and measurement. Configurable values should include:

The values for the sample above are: SCOPE=4, MEASURE=I, MULT1PL1ER=O.5, CAP=30, DAYS=14.

The FlashMenu 242 is built on the basis of weighting data retrieved via a XMPP iface.

The ShowtimeXmpplface 244 reuses existing commands in the standard iface as well as having special ones to send LMT messages.

The GeneticScheduleHandler 246 delegates most methods to the existing XmlScheduleHandler, simply modifying the weight of content using a simple formula and data from the ContentMeters.

The XmlScheduleHandler 248 flattens multiple intersecting schedules to a single class of content.

Schedule.xml 250 is generated from the Config.Db scheduling scheme on the basis of the set of schedules which a unit belongs to.

The GeneticScheduleHandler 254 subscribes to event messages and updates the local store of performance data as it requires.

The ShowtimeContentLoader 252 loads the content cache on the basis of Showtime file layouts.

It will be understood that many hundreds or thousands of entertainment devices may be connected to the network using any convenient telecommunications network such as the public telephone network, leased private lines or the internet. It will also be understood that the functions of the server and messaging server may be provided by multiple servers, e.g. distributed around a network or provided by a hierarchical network of smaller servers.

Each entertainment device is preferably based on a generic processor running a suitable operating system, e.g. Windows XP™ Embedded. Each entertainment device includes a kernel process executable on the operating system for managing content, controlling peripherals and communication on the device.

The entertainment device includes a plurality of different content executables each relating to a different entertainment content item. A content item may be any item of pay-to-play content, e.g. a game, a quiz, a music player or music track to be played thereon, a video player or video sequence to be played thereon, as well as any advertisement or display sequence to attract attention to the device, a menu for presentation of options to a user, or any executable causing output or transfer of digital content from the entertainment device as a service to the user. As discussed above, the content executables may be referred to as payload.

The content managing process preferably includes a set of components such as: content interfaces which the content executables use to connect to the kernel process; service components for providing functions such as paying in, paying out, cash handling and connectivity; a message hub for distributing event messages created within the device, e.g. relating to payments in, payment out, play counts, error messages, alarms etc; and other functional components e.g. a credit handler, as will be explained in greater detail later. One content interface may connect to many different content executables, and each content interface may support one or more different types of content executable.

The content managing process uses the configuration data to retrieve content items either from its own local storage. The kernel process then displays or otherwise implements a menu selection according to the prevailing attributes as determined by the schedules.

The domain of operation may be a public bar which is (i) run by a local management, (ii) owned by a specific brewery, (iii) in a relationship with certain advertisers, (iv) targeting family clientele during the daytime and adult clientele in the evenings, (v) operating under local authority licensing regulations and (vi) operating under national licensing and gaming laws. It will be understood that each of these six factors in the domain of operation may influence the way in which the entertainment device is to be operated. Generally speaking, a significant number of such factors determine the allowable or preferred attributes of the entertainment device. The expression 'attributes' is intended to encompass the content items or 'payload' available on a device, and the mode of operation of those content items. The expression 'mode of operation' is intended to encompass rules governing the way in which the content is delivered, restrictions on its input / output parameters and restrictions on the services available to the content.

For example: (i) the pub owner, or brewery may wish to dictate that a certain range of promotional games and offers are available; (ii) the local landlord may recognise that certain games are locally more popular than others and prefer that these are presented with a higher profile; (iii) local management may wish to introduce special offers in conjunction with content delivered by the entertainment device, e.g. an offer to "play game X to win a pint of guest ale"; (iv) a contract between the brewery and another commercial organisation may dictate that predetermined advertising material should appear on the entertainment device display for predetermined periods of time, e.g. when the device is in an idle mode, or even during content item delivery; (v) legislation, regulation or operator preferences may stipulate that certain video or audio jukebox material is not available during the day while families are using the pub; and (vi) gaming laws may dictate certain payout restrictions, possibly at different times of the day.

Each entertainment device may be assigned to belong to one or more 'groups' of such devices. Each group has an associated schedule that defines a set of attributes (e.g. content, mode of operation) for all the devices belonging to that group. Those attributes in the schedule may include desired attributes in an order of preference and may include mandatory attributes to comply with regulations.

Other embodiments are intentionally within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content; an adjustment module operable to provide presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at the entertainment device.

2. An entertainment device according to Claim 1 wherein the adjustment module is operable to provide the display of content in accordance with the number of plays of a content item.

3. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable to provide the display of content in accordance with the frequency of plays of a content item in a predetermined time period.

4. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable to provide the display of content such that a new content item is weighted to ensure display.

5. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable to provide a display with the content items relating to the most plays, and/or the most frequent plays, in the most prominent positions on the display.

6. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable to provide a display with the content items relating to most plays, and/or most frequent plays, most prominently displayed on the display.

7. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module comprises a custom unit to record the number and/or frequency of plays of content items and to modify the presentation of content items on a display of the device in accordance with data held at the custom unit.

8. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable in relation to plays of a video game and/or a gambling game on the device.

9. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable in relation to plays of an audio track or video track on the device.

10. An entertainment device according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment module is operable in dependence of activity at a physically local or adjacent device, and/or at a device of the same and/or similar type of device.

11. A network of entertainment devices which are interconnected, an entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content; an adjustment module operable to provide presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at the entertainment device.

12. A network according to Claim 11, wherein the adjustment module of a device is operable in dependence of selected activity at another entertainment device in the network.

13. A network according to Claim 12, wherein the adjustment module is operable in dependence of selected activity at another entertainment device in the network which is a local or adjacent device, and/or the same or similar type of entertainment device.

14. A method of operating an entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content; the method comprising providing presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at the entertainment device.

15. A method according to Claim 14 comprising providing the display of content in accordance with the number of plays of a content item.

16. A method according to Claim 14 or 12 comprising providing the display of content in accordance with the frequency of plays of a content item in a predetermined time period.

17. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 16 providing the display of content such that a new content item is weighted to ensure display.

18. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 17 comprising providing a display with the content items relating to most plays, and/or most frequent plays, in the most prominent positions on the display.

19. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 18 comprising providing a display with the content items relating to the most plays and/or the most frequent plays being most prominently displayed on the display.

20. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 19 comprising recording the number and/or frequency number of plays of content items and modifying the presentation of content items on a display of the device in accordance with data so recorded.

21. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 20 providing the presentation of content in relation to plays of a video game and/or a gambling game on the device.

22. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 21 comprising operating an adjustment in relation to plays of an audio track or video track on the device.

23. A method according to any of Claims 14 to 22 comprising operating an adjustment module is operable in dependence of activity at a physically local or adjacent device, and/or at a device of the same and/or similar type of device.

24. A method of operating a network of entertainment devices which are interconnected, on entertainment device comprising: a payment mechanism; a processor module; an entertainment content handler and content interface executing on the processor module for executing entertainment content the method comprising providing presentation of content for operation on the device in dependence of selected activity at an entertainment device.

25. A method according to Claim 24 comprising operating presentation of content of a device in dependence of selected activity at another device in the network.

26. A method according to Claim 24 or 25 comprising operating presentation of content of a device in dependence of selected activity at another device in the network which is a local or adjacent device, and/or the same or similar type of device.

27. A computer program product directly loadable in to the internal memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for performing the method of any one or more of Claims 14 to 26 when said product is run on a computer.

28. A computer program directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for performing the method of any one or more Claims 14 to 26 when said program is run on a computer.

29. A carrier, which may comprise electronic signals, for a computer program of Claim 28.

30. Electronic distribution of a computer program product of Claim 27 or a computer program of Claim 28 or a carrier of Claim 29.

31. An entertainment device or a network substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, any one of more of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.