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N-tier architecture for a casino management system and methodRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), With Communication Link (e.g., Television Broadcast, Etc.), Network Type (e.g., Computer Network, Etc.)N-tier architecture for a casino management system and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070202955, N-tier architecture for a casino management system and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/935,514, filed Sep. 7, 2004, which is related to, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/501,098, filed on Sep. 8, 2003, with inventors Gary Frerking, Phillip Blanton, Lattamore Osburn, Jeff Topham, Robert DelRossi, and Kent Reisdorph, and entitled "Three Tier Architecture for Casino Management System." BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to a gaming system network. In particular, the present invention relates to a configuration and control system that allows one or more gaming systems to dynamically request applications and/or services from one or more servers. [0003] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, fruit machines, or poker machines, have in recent years become one of the more popular, exciting, and sophisticated wagering activities available at casinos and other gambling locations. At the same time, gaming machines have also become a source of greater revenue for gaming establishments. Thus, competition between manufacturers of gaming machines has intensified as competitors vie for business from gaming establishments. [0004] A gaming machine providing entertaining and enticing features for players would be highly desirable to attract both new and returning players to a gaming establishment. Additionally, a gaming machine that allows customization and dynamic modification by an operator would be highly desirable to provide new features to customers. [0005] Current gaming machines are difficult to reconfigure and offer the same game to multiple users at multiple gaming establishments. Certain games may become old or unattractive to players and need updating or replacing. Changing a gaming machine to a different game or format involves time-consuming and difficult procedures by an operator. Thus, an improved system and method for updating or replacing games or other applications on a gaming machine or other gaming system would be highly desirable. [0006] Additionally, configuration of a gaming machine by an operator raises concerns regarding security of data and integrity of a game on the gaming machine. That is, gaming establishments and legal authorities place high priority on the integrity of a game, such as a slot or poker game. Thus, there is a need for a configurable system that does not disturb sensitive game or prize data. [0007] Current systems are often susceptible to reduced performance during peak periods of activity caused by overburdened servers providing applications to gaming machines or gaming workstations. Additionally, failures in current gaming environments often lead to play stoppage or other gaming problems. Casinos and other gaming establishments seek to avoid such delays and system failures to maintain player enjoyment and encourage repeated play and repeated visits. Thus, a system and method that improves gaming reliability and efficiency would be highly desirable. [0008] Thus, there is a need for a configuration and control system and method for a gaming environment that allows one or more gaming systems to dynamically request applications and/or services from one or more servers. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides a system and method for a configurable gaming system. Certain embodiments provide an improved gaming network for providing applications to one or more gaming systems. The gaming network includes a plurality of application servers servicing requests from at least one gaming system and a load balancer distributing requests from the at least one gaming system among the plurality of application servers. The application servers may host a plurality of applications and/or web services for the gaming system(s). [0010] In an embodiment, the application servers include a multi-tiered architecture. The multi-tiered architecture may include an application programming interface, at least one application, an operating system, and/or a data access interface layer, for example. The plurality of application servers may transmit information to the gaming system(s) that are subscribed to the plurality of application servers. In an embodiment, the application servers include different applications. In an embodiment, the application server(s) respond to a request if the gaming system(s) bear a valid license token for the requested application and/or service. The plurality of application servers may provide local live update of one or more applications on one or more of the plurality of application servers. [0011] In an embodiment, the load balancer distributes the requests based on a status of the plurality of application servers. The system may further include a database server storing data for retrieval by the plurality of application servers. The load balancer may balance requests among a plurality of database servers. A request from a gaming system may include a request for a downloadable game, for example. [0012] Certain embodiments provide an updatable gaming network including an application server servicing requests from at least one gaming system, where the application server includes a local live update application for updating an application on the application server. The local live update application may automatically update one or more applications on the application server. The local live update application may update an application on the application server at execution of the application. [0013] The updatable gaming network may also include a stub/loader running at a gaming system, where stub/loader queries the local live update application to update an application to be executed at the gaming system. The stub/loader may detect alteration of an application prior to an execution of the application. The stub/loader may detect alteration of the application in conjunction with the local live update application. In an embodiment, the stub/loader verifies the application and stores an indication of verification of the application. The stub/loader may verify a license for use of the application at the gaming system. [0014] In an embodiment, the gaming network also includes a load balancer distributing requests from the gaming system(s) among a plurality of application servers. The load balancer may balance requests among a plurality of database servers. The network may also include a database server storing data for retrieval by the application server. In an embodiment, the application includes a downloadable game, for example. [0015] Certain embodiments provide a method for gaming system control in a gaming environment including receiving a request for an application to execute at a gaming system, and routing the request to an appropriate application server to provide the application at the gaming system. The request may be routed based on a status of a plurality of application servers, for example. [0016] The method may also include verifying that the gaming system is authorized to execute the application. In an embodiment, the method includes distributing a request for data among a plurality of database servers. The method may further include updating an application at the gaming system prior to execution of the application. In an embodiment, the application is automatically updated prior to execution. The method may also include detecting alteration of an application prior to execution of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a casino management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a portion of the casino management system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a portion of the casino management system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a portion of the casino management system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about N-tier architecture for a casino management system and method... 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