I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US009349248B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Andersson
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`May 24, 2016
`
`(54) LICENSE MANAGEMENT IN A GAMING
`SYSTEM
`
`USPC ...................................................... 463/29, 42
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Hakan Andersson, Sundbyberg (SE)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(73) Assignee: VIDEO B HOLDINGS LIMITED,
`Tortola (VG)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 865 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 111757,944
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun.4,2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0064493 Al
`
`Mar. 13, 2008
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 2, 2006
`
`(SE) .................................... 0601238-9
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2013.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 17100
`G06F 19100
`G07F 17132
`G06F 21110
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ G07F 1713241 (2013.01); G06F 21110
`(2013.01); G07F 17132 (2013.01); G07F
`1713227 (2013.01); G07F 1713269 (2013.01);
`A63F 23001401 (2013.01)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ... G07F 17/32; G07F 17/323; G07F 17/3225;
`G07F 17/3262; G07F 17/3269; G07F 17/34
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,204,897 A *
`5,697,843 A *
`2002/0071557 Al*
`2004/0259640 Al
`2005/0192099 Al*
`2005/0282637 Al*
`2006/0111168 Al*
`200610160625 Al *
`2010/0062835 Al *
`
`4/1993 Wyman ......................... 710/200
`12/1997 Manship et al.
`................ 463/20
`612002 Nguyen ........................ 380/251
`12/2004 Gentles et al.
`912005 Nguyen et al. .................. 463/42
`12/2005 Gatto et al. ..................... 463/42
`512006 Nguyen et al. .................. 463/16
`712006 Englman et al ................. 463/42
`3/2010 Hopkins ......................... 463/25
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO 03/085613
`* cited by examiner
`
`10/2003
`
`Primary Examiner - Lawrence Galka
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Cantor Colbrun LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`There is disclosed a gaming system comprising, a gaming
`machine terminal configured to seek to initiate a game ses(cid:173)
`sion, a license management client configured to control ini(cid:173)
`tiation of the game session based on a license control param(cid:173)
`eter, and a license management server in data communication
`with the license management client and configured to gener(cid:173)
`ate the license control parameter and serve the license control
`parameter to the license management client.
`
`18 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`LICENSE MANAGEMENT
`SERVER~
`
`LICENSE
`CONFIGURATION
`INTERFACE~
`
`4
`
`7A
`
`3A
`
`7N
`
`3N
`
`IPR2016-01271
`UNIFIED 1016
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2016
`
`Sheet 1of6
`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`7A
`
`7N
`
`3N
`
`LMCl
`
`LMC2
`
`LMCn
`
`102
`
`CLIENT
`GMI
`
`CLIENT
`GMn
`
`lli]
`lli1
`
`L_g__J
`
`LICENSE MANAGEMENT
`SERVER~
`
`LICENSE
`CONFIGURATION
`INTERFACE Q.
`
`4
`
`FIG lA
`
`101
`
`l
`
`110
`
`106 ~ B
`
`ASl
`112
`
`118
`
`116
`
`LCI
`
`LMS
`
`104
`
`108
`
`FIG lB
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`202
`
`220
`
`CLIENT
`222
`
`GDK
`API
`
`CLIENT
`MODULE
`
`218
`
`FIG2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`(!) El
`rn co
`c: '"O
`(i.) Q)
`(.) -
`= 2
`
`~I
`
`0
`
`N "'
`
`l9
`ro
`(j) "CJ
`....
`I.I>
`c:: 2
`(i.)
`-~ E
`- ~ cu
`
`(!)
`
`0..
`
`<O
`
`~"'
`
`~I
`
`~
`
`-
`0
`_J
`
`~
`
`~I
`'-
`0
`.)::; ~
`r:: Q.l 8E
`"CJ ~
`c
`..__
`ro Cll
`Q) a:;
`-E
`2 ~
`m
`0..
`
`~I
`'-.8 co
`::i
`ro
`> Q)
`
`Q)
`2
`
`Cl)
`~
`_J
`
`co
`0
`
`~
`
`

`
`00 = N
`
`~
`'N
`\C
`~
`\C w
`rJl
`d
`
`O'I
`0 .....
`..... ...
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`0 ....
`~ ...
`N
`~
`~
`
`N
`
`O'I
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`~
`
`450
`
`4200 d
`
`FIG4A
`
`set license for specific games
`
`460
`
`if high stake unavailable
`
`offer low stake
`
`~
`r-:-1/0D
`L_J
`r-:-1/oc
`~ @OB
`!.:VOA
`
`table games TI
`premium games ~
`
`4350
`
`435C
`
`high stake games ~
`
`4358
`
`active terminals ~
`
`435A
`
`4300 -
`
`430C -
`
`4308 -
`
`430A -
`
`4100
`
`~ / G
`
`420C
`
`410C
`
`420B
`
`410B
`
`420A
`
`~ B D / B
`
`410A
`
`BJ
`
`415A
`
`OPERATORX
`
`116
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`OJ
`~
`0
`~, ~,
`
`z
`0
`~~
`
`LO
`
`0
`
`~
`
`• • • • • • •
`
`0
`
`"'
`
`~
`CJ)
`E
`ro
`0)
`
`t
`s
`r-....
`""'"
`
`C'\I
`CJ)
`E
`ro
`0)
`
`c
`CJ)
`• • • • • • • • • • • E
`co
`
`0)
`
`t
`
`OJ
`0
`r-....
`""'"
`
`t
`
`z
`0
`r-....
`""'"
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2016
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`define license parameters
`
`define control rules
`
`510
`/
`
`520
`/
`
`500
`ii'
`
`530
`GM seeks to initiate game !/
`session
`
`LMC sends request for license /
`control parameter to LMS
`
`LMS obtains and evaluates
`license parameters
`
`/
`
`LMS generates license control /
`parameters
`,,
`
`LMS updates database
`
`540
`
`550
`
`560
`
`570
`
`,,
`580
`LMC processes control V
`parameter
`
`590a
`/
`
`590b
`/
`
`game session enabled
`
`game session disabled
`
`FIG5
`
`

`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`1
`LICENSE MANAGEMENT IN A GAMING
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of Swedish Patent Appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 0601238-9, having an international filing date of
`Jun. 2, 2006, entitled "License Management in a Gaming
`system", which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in
`its entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates generally to the management
`of licensed rights in a computerized gaming system.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In a first aspect there is provided a gaming system com(cid:173)
`prising:
`a gaming machine terminal configured to seek to initiate a
`game session;
`a license management client (LMC) configured to control
`initiation of the game session based on a license control
`parameter (LCP); and
`a license management server (LMS) in data communica(cid:173)
`tion with the LMC and configured to generate the LCP and
`serve the LCP to the LMC.
`In an embodiment the LMS is arranged to generate the LCP
`based on at least one license parameter.
`In an embodiment the LMS is arranged to generate the LCP
`based on at least one license control rule.
`In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises a
`license parameter database configured for storing license
`parameters.
`In an embodiment the license parameter database is con(cid:173)
`figured to store license control rules.
`In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises a
`license configuration interface configured to allow a user to
`define and enter at least one of a license parameter and a
`license control rule into the license parameter database.
`In an embodiment the license management client is pro(cid:173)
`vided in a game server.
`In an embodiment the license management client is pro(cid:173)
`vided in the gaming machine terminal.
`In an embodiment the license parameter database is pro(cid:173)
`vided in a back office database accessible by the license
`management server.
`In an embodiment the LMS is configured to update the
`license parameters in the license parameter database based on
`the generated license control parameter.
`In an embodiment the LMS generates a plurality oflicense
`control parameters.
`In an embodiment the LCP encodes plural license condi(cid:173)
`tions.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2
`In an embodiment the LMC controls initiation of the gam(cid:173)
`ing session by enabling the game session.
`In an embodiment the LMC controls initiation of the gam(cid:173)
`ing session by disabling the game session
`In an embodiment the LMC controls initiation of the gam(cid:173)
`ing session by modifying a set of available game options
`available in respect of the game session.
`In an embodiment the LMC controls initiation of the gam(cid:173)
`ing session by suggesting to the player an alternate game
`sess10n.
`In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for
`managing licensed rights in a computerized gaming system
`generating a license control parameter (LCP) in response
`to an attempt to initiate a game session; and
`controlling initiation of the game session based on the LCP.
`In an embodiment the method further comprises generat(cid:173)
`ing the LCP based on at least one license parameter.
`In an embodiment the method further comprises generat(cid:173)
`ing the LCP based on at least one control rule.
`In an embodiment the method further comprises the step of
`20 updating a license parameter dependent on the generated
`LCP.
`In an embodiment said license parameter is defined for a
`predetermined category of gaming machine operations.
`In an embodiment said predetermined category is depen(cid:173)
`dent on the number of active gaming machines.
`In an embodiment said predetermined category is depen(cid:173)
`dent on the number of started games.
`In an embodiment said predetermined category is depen(cid:173)
`dent on the number of started games of a specific kind.
`In an embodiment the lifespan of an enabling license con(cid:173)
`trol parameter is controlled dependent on predetermined
`rules.
`In an embodiment said predetermined lifespan rules is
`based on the gaming machine login time.
`In a third aspect the invention provides a computer program
`35 code which when executed causes a computer to carry out the
`above method.
`In a fourth aspect the invention provides a computer read(cid:173)
`able medium having thereon the computer program code.
`In a fifth aspect the invention provides a license manage-
`40 ment client (LMC) for a gaming system, the LMC arranged
`to:
`determine that a gaming machine is seeking to initiate a
`gaming session;
`send a license control parameter (LCP) request to a license
`45 management server (LMS);
`receive a LCP from the LMS; and
`control initiation of the gaming system based on the LCP.
`In a sixth aspect the invention provides a license manage-
`ment server (LMS) for a gaming system; the LMS arranged
`50 to:
`receive a license control parameter (LCP) request from a
`license management client (LMS);
`generate an LCP based on the LCP request;
`the LCP allowing the LMC to control initiation of the
`55 gaming system; and
`send the LCP to the LMC.
`Other aspects and advantages of the invention are
`described in the below description text. Certain embodiments
`of the invention may be realized as a method, a system and a
`60 computer program product.
`
`Computerized gaming systems are usually managed by
`game operators that are authorized to run a certain limited
`number of gaming machines according to a license granted by
`supervising authorities. Other kinds oflicenses such as rights
`to use digital software or data also occur in gaming systems. 25
`Traditionally, licenses are managed with manually and there
`is a need for better efficiency in this respect.
`
`30
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING
`DRAWINGS
`
`65
`
`The invention is further explained by means of the follow(cid:173)
`ing non-limiting examples and in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`

`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`3
`FIG. lA shows schematically a computerized gaming sys(cid:173)
`tem with a plurality of gaming machines and a license man(cid:173)
`agement system in accordance with an embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. lB shows schematically an embodiment of a client(cid:173)
`server based gaming system with a plurality of gaming
`machines and a license management system in accordance
`with an embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of further components of a
`gaming system;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing detail of the license
`management server;
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are exemplary user interfaces; and
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the preferred embodiment the described method steps
`and functions are realized computer system components,
`computer software code portions, or by means of combina(cid:173)
`tions thereof. It is within the knowledge of the skilled person
`to select appropriate components for the realization of
`embodiments of the invention.
`FIG. lA shows schematically a general gaming system 1
`with a plurality of computerized gaming machines GMl,
`GM2 ... GMn 7 of a per se known kind equipped with a
`human-machine interface having a display screen, input
`means and game software, where the number n is arbitrary.
`Each of the gaming machines has a license management
`client LMCl, LMC2 ... LMCn 3 that is enabled to commu(cid:173)
`nicate with a license management server 2 via a communica(cid:173)
`tions network 4. The license management clients 3 are con(cid:173)
`figured to control the operations of the respective gaming
`machines 7 dependent on license control parameters commu(cid:173)
`nicated from the license management server 2. The license
`management server 2 has or is communicatively coupled to a
`license configuration interface 6 and similarly comprises or is
`communicatively coupled to a data storage means, e.g. a
`database D8, configured for storing predetermined license
`parameters and/or predetermined license dependent control
`rules in a license parameter database. In this embodiment, the
`gaming machine seeks to establish a gaming session by
`executing game code already resident on the gaming machine
`and the license management client mediates or controls the
`establishment of this session.
`According to certain embodiments of the invention, license
`parameters are defined dependent on the rights conferred by a
`granted license, e.g. the rights to have a certain maximum
`number of gaming machines concurrently active for gaming. 50
`The license parameters and/or the license dependent control
`rules are defined and entered into the license management
`system by means of the license configuration interface and are
`stored in the license parameter database.
`In operation, the execution of gaming software is con- 55
`trolled by means of a license management client such that
`when the gaming terminal seeks to initiate a gaming session
`employing a software module, the license management client
`sends a request to the license management server for a license
`control parameter. The license management server, in 60
`response to the request, generates a license control parameter
`dependent on the license parameters and/or the license depen(cid:173)
`dent control rules retrieved from the license parameter data(cid:173)
`base. In the example where the license confers the rights to
`have a certain maximum number of gaming machines active 65
`for gaming, the license parameter database has a parameter
`describing current license utilization statistics in the form of
`
`4
`a count value for currently active gaming machines and the
`maximum number of active gaming machines. The manage(cid:173)
`ment server determines from predetermined rules, in this
`example by comparing a current count value to a maximum
`count value whether another gaming machine would be
`allowed to be enabled for operation. If the current count value
`is less than the maximum count value the license management
`server increments the current count value by 1 and thereby
`occupies one item of the licensed number of concurrently
`10 active gaming machines. The license server generates a
`license control parameter that has an enabling value and
`returns it in a response to the license management client,
`which in its turn enables continued operation of the initiated
`15 unit of gaming machine software. If not, e.g., ifthe maximum
`allowable number of gaming machines are concurrently
`active, the license management server generates a license
`control parameter that has a disabling value and returns it in a
`response to the license management client, which in turn
`20 disables continued operation of gaming session and, option(cid:173)
`ally initiates a presentation of some message to the player on
`the gaming machine screen.
`In other embodiments, the gaming client may request and
`receive a plurality of license control parameters, e.g. a first
`25 license control parameter that indicates whether a gaming
`terminal can be used to play a gaming session at all and a
`second control parameter that indicates whether a specific
`game subject of the license request can be played (or a single
`license control parameter contain information about more
`30 than one license condition).
`FIG. lB shows schematically an exemplifying embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a client/server based gaming system 101 with a
`license management system in accordance with certain
`35 embodiments of the invention. A plurality of gaming
`machines, here illustrated with a first client gaming machine
`GMl 102 and a second gaming machine GMn 104, where n is
`an arbitrary number as exemplified above, are communica(cid:173)
`tively coupled to a game application server AS 106 via a
`40 communications network 104. The game application server is
`in turn communicatively coupled to a game server database
`110 has a database application logic layer 111 and a database
`storage structure GSDB. The game server database 110 is
`further communicatively coupled to a back office database
`45 118, similarly having a database application logic layer 119
`and a database storage structure BODB. The game applica(cid:173)
`tion server AS 106 is further provided with a license manage(cid:173)
`ment client module 112 devised for communication with a
`license management server 108. The license management
`server 108 and a license configuration interface 116 are in this
`embodiment communicatively coupled with a license param-
`eter database 120 that preferably is realised in the back office
`database 118. "Communicatively coupled" in this text means
`that there is provided a communication link over which infor(cid:173)
`mation signals can be communicated between two coupled
`units, for example in the form data packets or the like. The
`communication link can for example be continuously acti(cid:173)
`vated in an on-line state or be activated on request when a
`message, e.g. in the shape of a request or a response, is
`communicated.
`Referring to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the licensing man(cid:173)
`agement server 108 includes a rule and control parameter
`retriever 130 adapted to retrieve rule data 140 and parameter
`data 142 from the license parameter database 120. A rule
`evaluator 132 thereafter processes the rules and the license
`parameter data 142 in order to generate one or more license
`control parameters (or a single license control parameter that
`
`

`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`5
`encodes one or more factors). The licensing control interface
`116 allows a user to specify the license rules and license
`parameters.
`The gaming system according to the present embodiment
`of is based on a client/server architecture where the game
`software is divided into a client game module and a server
`game module with access to a central database. In order to run
`a game the client game module must be associated with and
`use functions available at a server game module. When a
`game is played via a client gaming machine, a game session
`is established and game session data is generated in the course
`of the game. Each game session has a specific identity and is
`assigned a game session identify code. The game session data
`is stored in the game server database associated with the game
`session identity code.
`FIG. 2 shows schematically a client and server based com(cid:173)
`puterised gaming system with a client gaming machine ter(cid:173)
`minal 202 and a gaming server 204 that are communicatively
`coupled. The gaming machine 202 and the gaming server 204
`are provided with data processors, memory, data communi- 20
`cations interfaces, control programs, user input/output inter(cid:173)
`faces etc. in a per se well known manner. Different functions
`and features that are specific for the preferred embodiment are
`preferably realised by software computer program code
`executed by data processors in the server and in the client 25
`respectively, or by employing specifically designed elec(cid:173)
`tronic components, or by means of combinations of software
`and electronic components. In the example of FIG. 2 there is
`only a single client gaming machine 202 but of course a
`number of client gaming machines can be and are normally 30
`connected to a server 204. In this context a server 204 gener(cid:173)
`ally means hardware and software units in a central system
`that provide server functions, database functions and other
`centralized functions to connectable client gaming machines.
`The server 204 is provided with a game application pro- 35
`gram interface, in short called server game API 206, enabling
`communication between a server module of a specific game
`application program 208 and general server gaming functions
`210,212,214,216 installed on the server. The general server
`gaming functions are provided to be available for any specific 40
`game application program independently of the specific game
`content. These general server gaming functions are typically
`functions such as a database 210, a random number generator
`212, an account service function 214, a log service function
`216, or other functions that can be beneficially shared and 45
`used by different specific game application programs.
`The client gaming machine 202 is also provided with a
`game application program interface, in short called client
`game API 220, enabling communication between a client
`game module 218 of the specific game application program 50
`and general client gaming functions 222,224,226,228
`installed on the client gaming machine 202 and used by
`different client game modules. The general client gaming
`functions are designed for assisting in implementing and
`executing a specific game on the client gaming machine 202 55
`and are available for the client game module 218. These
`general client gaming functions are in different embodiments
`a selection of a graphical user interface (GUI) 222, a cashbox
`function 224, a sound function 226, user input interface func(cid:173)
`tion, for example buttons, 228, data storage 229, a printer 203, 60
`a bar code reader 233 and other functions that are related to
`the performance of a game. The client game module 218 is
`communicatively coupled to the corresponding server game
`module 208 for communicating requests 209 and responses
`211 in order to utilize the general gaming functions provided
`in the server. For each game a message protocol for commu(cid:173)
`nication between the client module and the server module is
`
`6
`generated, the protocol is for example based on XML and is
`shared by the client and the server.
`A specific game application program thus comprises a
`server game module 208 and a client game module 218 that
`communicate either directly or via an application program
`interface on the client side and the server side respectively as
`shown in FIG. 2. The client game module 218 uses a selection
`of general client gaming functions that are available in the
`client gaming machine, whereas the server module 208 uses a
`10 selection of general server gaming functions 210,212,214,
`216 that are commonly used by different game applications
`and that are provided and available centrally in the server 204.
`Further details of a server gaming architecture can be found in
`15 WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures
`of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`Establishment of the gaming session involves the gaming
`server loading the relevant server module, and providing (if
`necessary) the relevant client module to the client gaming
`machine.
`This client/server architecture entails that all active gaming
`machines and active game sessions are known at server side
`all the time. This in tum enables a wide variety of license
`configuration rules and parameters.
`It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that in an
`embodiment where a server-based architecture is employed,
`the licensing client can reside at the gaming terminal or at the
`gaming server.
`The process 500 for license management according to cer(cid:173)
`tain embodiments of the invention comprises in an exempli(cid:173)
`fying embodiment of FIG. 5 in a client/server based gaming
`system where the client resides on the server side, a selection
`of the following steps is required for a specific application. In
`an embodiment with license management clients provided in
`the gaming machines, the steps are adjusted accordingly.
`1. Predetermined license parameters are defined and stored
`in the license parameter database 510.
`2. Predetermined license dependent control rules are
`defined and stored in the license parameter database 520.
`3. A client gaming machine sends a request to the game
`application server to initiate a gaming session 530.
`4. A license management client in the game application
`server sends a request to a license management server for a
`license control parameter 540.
`5. The license management server evaluates the license
`parameters and/or license control rules related to the request
`and on current license utilization statistics comprised in the
`license parameters. As described it is possible that the request
`for a gaming session is not the subject of any license
`restraints, which is also deducible from the license param(cid:173)
`eters 550.
`6. The license management server generates a license con-
`trol parameter based on the predetermined license parameters
`and/or on the predetermined license control rules retrieved
`from the license parameter database, and returns said license
`dependent gaming machine control parameter in a response
`message 560.
`7. If applicable a license parameter is updated in the data(cid:173)
`base based on the resulting license control parameter 570.
`8. The license management client of the game application
`server processes 580 the control parameter and determines
`what action, if any, is required. In a straightforward embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the license management client enables 590A or dis(cid:173)
`ables 590B the continued establishment of the gaming ses-
`65 sion of said client gaming by means of an enabling or
`disabling response to the requested service, dependent on said
`license control parameter. In other embodiments, the gaming
`
`

`
`US 9,349,248 B2
`
`8
`The invention has been described by way of exemplifying
`embodiments, but naturally there are various manners of real(cid:173)
`ising embodiments of the invention within the scope of the
`claims.
`
`EXAMPLE
`
`7
`machine may restrict the player options available in the game
`session-eg. prevent access to high-stake betting.
`A variety of categories of license parameters are conceiv(cid:173)
`able within the inventive concept. For example:
`1. A predetermined maximum number of gaming machines
`that are logged in as active.
`2. A predetermined maximum number of started and/or
`active games.
`3. A predetermined maximum number of specific games.
`4. A predetermined maximum number of games of specific 10
`types. For example games having a bet limit above a certain
`amount eg. "high-bet" games, games marked as "new" or
`"premium" etc.
`5. A predetermined maximum amount of money that can be 15
`paid into the gaming system for playing games during a
`specific time period.
`6. A predetermined maximum amount of money that can be
`paid out from the gaming system as prizes during a specific
`time period.
`7. A predetermined maximum number of gaming clients or
`game servers that are enabled to be installed on the gaming
`system.
`A variety oflicense constructions can be realised and con(cid:173)
`trolled by means of the inventive concept. For example:
`1. A license granted for each installed gaming machine.
`2. A license granted for a predetermined number of active
`gaming machines and a floating license that is complied with
`by means of a predetermined algorithm or rules.
`The duration or lifespan of the enabling license dependent 30
`gaming machine control parameter can vary. For example the
`enabling control parameter can be valid:
`1. Until the gaming machine is logged out from the gaming
`system.
`2. For a predetermined amount of time. The timing can for
`example be realised by means of the game application server
`or by means of a parameter coupled to the relevant gaming
`unit and stored in the game server database.
`3. Dependent on the credit balance for a current player. For 40
`example, the enabling control parameter can be valid until a
`credit has been consumed and a new license parameter
`request is processed when more credit is entered for the game
`or for the gaming machine.
`In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention 45
`there are various parameters for defining a gaming machine or
`a game as active. For example, by registering when the gam(cid:173)
`ing machine is logged into the system, or by requiring a
`predetermined transaction frequency or a predetermined
`maximum amount of time between transactions.
`Certain embodiments of the invention thus have the tech(cid:173)
`nical effect that an operator of a gaming system can have an
`install base of gaming machines or game software modules
`that is larger than the number of active and operational units
`that current licenses permit.
`It will thus be appreciated that runtime control is achieved
`by determining a license control parameter dependent, for
`example, on a license parameter and/or a license control rule
`in response to initiating a gaming session.
`Further, the operator who, for example, operates plural
`venues can ensure that operatively enabled gaming machines
`are active where the players are at the moment.
`Further more flexible license schemes are enabled, such as
`with a license fee that is divided into an install part and a usage 65
`part, where the usage part is a floating license with a fee that
`is charged only for active usage.
`
`35
`
`FIGS. 4a and 4b shows an exemplary display of a licensing
`control interface 116. FIG. 4a shows the interface shows the
`interface being used to set control rules and control param(cid:173)
`eters for "Operator X". FIG. 4a shows that in this example
`rules can be set at 4 levels, operator level 410a, country level
`410b, venue level 410c, and bank level which levels to banks
`of machines within a venue 410. Check boxes 420,420a,
`420b,420c, 420d are marked in order to indicate whether rules
`have been set at any of these levels. In this example, check
`boxes 420a, 420c are marked to indicate that rules are set at
`the operator and venue level. The operator button 410a is
`20 highlighted 415A to indicate that the user is currently pro(cid:173)
`cessing rules at the operator level.
`There are a series of rules 430 relating to the number of
`active terminals 430a, high stake games 430b, premium
`games 430c, and table games 430dthat can be activated atthe
`25 operator level. Check boxes 435a,435b,435c,435d are
`marked to indicate which rules are active. In this case rules are
`active in respect of active terminals 430a, high stake games
`430b and premium games 430c. The rule currently set in
`respect of table games 430d is inactive. Accordingly, if the
`licensing management server receives a request for a table
`game it will automatically fulfil this request or return an
`enable control parameter. Boxes 440 allow a user to specify a
`value of a control parameter. Accordingly 300 active termi(cid:173)
`nals are specified by box 440a, 50 high stake games are
`specified by box 440b and 35 premium games are specified by
`box 440c. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that
`in this embodiment provision of a gaming parameter will
`need to satisfy each of these rules therefore a request for a
`gaming session needs to be evaluated relative to these rules.
`Accordingly the license management client transmits to the
`licensing management server data from which satisfaction or
`non satisfaction of these rules can be determined. A person
`skilled in the art will appreciate that additional information
`can be displayed on the interface 116, for example in respect
`of each category a current license count. Check box 450
`allows a user to specify a different type of rule. In this case the
`rule is that the license control parameter will, if a high stake
`game is unavailable, allowing the license management client
`50 to offer a low stake equivalent of the same game to the player.
`In a similar manner if a specific game is unavailable, the
`license control parameter may allow the license management
`client to offer alternative games. Accordingly it will be appre(cid:173)
`ciated that the license control parameter returned by the
`55 licensing management server need not always enable or dis(cid:173)
`able the gaming session. That is, an enablement may be
`subject to a modification to the establishment of the game
`session. In this embodiment, the licens