WO2009114196A2 - System and/or method for monitoring progressive gaming environments - Google Patents

Abstract

The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to systems and/or methods for monitoring displays (122) located in a gaming environment. In certain exemplary embodiments, systems and/or methods are provided for monitoring progressive jackpot related information shown on displays (122) in gaming environments. Such techniques may include video display signal splitters (400), redirectors, and/or converters. Additionally, or in the alternative, such techniques may include packet capturing programmed logic circuitry configured to capture jackpot (e.g., progressive jackpot) and other content related packets communicated in a networked gaming environment. Certain exemplary embodiments may include an auditor module (800) configured to display information pertaining to the monitored displays (122), and/or display or recreate the monitored displays.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

SYSTEM AND/OR METHOD FOR MONITORING PROGRESSIVE GAMING

ENVIRONMENTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Serial No.

61/064,063, filed on March 14, 2008, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to displays located in gaming environments and, more particularly, to systems and/or methods for monitoring displays located in a gaming environment. In certain exemplary embodiments, systems and/or methods are provided for monitoring progressive jackpot related information shown on displays in gaming environments.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0003] For years, gaming machines (e.g., of the type typically found in casinos, on riverboats, and/or in other gambling establishments) have provided patrons with enjoyment and proprietors with revenue. Broadly speaking, they have evolved from simple, classic slot machines featuring mechanical arms that a patron would pull, to more complicated video-based versions of slots, poker, and other games, with one or more buttons sometimes replacing the functions served by the mechanical arm. Further changes have included, for example, incorporating multiple displays to support advertising and/or even additional games.

[0004] As the desire for more engaging entertainment has increased yet further, some providers have configured their gaming machines for use in a networked environment. The use of the networked environment has enabled the implementation of progressive jackpot games, streaming updates (including, e.g., jackpot amounts, cumulative payouts, etc.) to overhead displays, etc. Coupling the amounts of awards, frequencies of awards, probabilities of winning awards, etc., to player levels has been found to attract and retain players, and sometimes even produce what has been termed a "frenzy" when players perceive that a gaming venue or particular area within a gaming venue is "hot."

[0005] To further increase the entertainment value of games and to contribute to the sense of frenzy, the amounts of progressive and non-progressive jackpots, bonus awards, and the like have been displayed on various displays. Such displays have been found to attract users with the potential for big payouts, perceived frequent wins, etc.

[0006] Because displays showing jackpot amounts have become quite popular, a number of gaming jurisdictions have required such displays to be monitored. The gaming statutes of Indiana, which are typical of gaming statutes in other jurisdictions, require that all progressive gaming displays be visually recorded. The relevant language of the Indiana Code used as an example herein states:

Sec. 5.

(a) Surveillance employees shall:

(1) monitor regularly; and

(2) visually record, either by:

(A) continuous recording; or

(B) motion activation; whichever is appropriate; the surveillance system coverage of the areas described in this section.

(f) Electronic gaming device surveillance must be capable of providing the following:

(6) Progressive games, including dedicated coverage of the following:

(A) Any electronic gaming device or group of electronic gaming devices with a possible jackpot payout in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). (B) The progressive display showing the incrementation of the progressive jackpot for an electronic gaming device or a bank of electronic gaming devices.

[0007] The definition of video recording is written in such a way that it appears only direct camera monitoring is permitted:

Sec. 1.

(b) The following definitions apply throughout this rule:

(1) "Digital video recording" means visual images of the natural world converted into numerical data and stored on:

(A) tape;

(B) digital video disk; or

(C) another storage medium;

Indeed, the phrase "visual images of the natural world" implies that only a recording of the actual light emitted by the sign will be accepted.

[0008] In view of these requirements, conventional technical solutions for complying with these regulatory requirements involve capturing video via a video camera, typically mounted to the ceiling. Signals from the video camera typically are digitized and fed via cable to a digital video recording device in the surveillance office.

[0009] Unfortunately, such conventional arrangements suffer several drawbacks. For example, these systems tend to be expensive, in part, because of the cost of the cameras, recorders, and wiring. Additionally, although technically speaking such conventional arrangements are not complex, the actual implementation tends to be burdensome and difficult. This is because a separate camera often is required for each display, and separate recorders typically must be provided for each such camera. Accordingly, the complexity of the system increases in proportion to the number of displays in the gaming establishment. This presents wiring, powering, and other related challenges for gaming establishments.

[0010] The gaming statutes of Indiana, like those of other gaming jurisdictions, provide a mechanism for obtaining exceptions to the particular requirements thereof. In particular, the Indiana Gaming Commission has the authority to grant an exception or variance with respect to the particular example rules provided above. As stated in the gaming statutes of Indiana:

Sec. 14.

The executive director or the commission may waive, restrict, or alter any requirement or procedure set forth in this rule if the executive director or the commission determines that the requirement or procedure is impractical or burdensome and the waiver, restriction, or alteration:

(1) is in the best interest of the public and the gaming industry; and

(2) does not defeat the purpose of this rule.

Other venues have similar respective gaming commissions for granting variances, as well.

[0011] Although Indiana and other gaming jurisdictions provide mechanisms for obtaining exceptions or variances to the particular requirements of the respective gaming statutes, the ability to obtain exceptions or variances depends on a number of factors. In certain jurisdictions, such as, for example, Indiana, Michigan, and New Jersey, it is very difficult to obtain exceptions or variances of any kind. In certain other jurisdictions, such as, for example, Nevada, Indian Reservations, and some international venues, it is somewhat easier to obtain exceptions and variances on the whole. For example, Nevada has been found to readily grant variances for installing signs or displays on or over gaming machines. However, even in these gaming jurisdictions where it is somewhat easier, in aggregate, to obtain variances or exceptions, the ability to obtain a variance or exception with respect to progressive games tends to be troublesome. [0012] Accordingly, most gaming and signage providers have found it easier to simply comply with the applicable statutes and rules, rather than seeking variances. In doing so, they accept the above-noted and other disadvantages of the conventional approaches to monitoring progressive jackpot related displays. In exchange, they avoid the costs and complications of developing, seeking approval for, and ultimately commercializing alternative techniques for monitoring progressive and other jackpot displays. Furthermore, such providers avoid pitfalls that may result in terms of development problems, regulatory approval, and/or ability to sell commercial products. Indeed, acceptance and compliance with what can be very restrictive rules often is seen as the easier path to developing, marketing, and selling products that are guaranteed to be accepted by gaming commissions.

[0013] As such, innovation in the gaming establishment surveillance field has been stymied and ultimately nearly completely abandoned. Accordingly, and in view of the above, it will be appreciated that there is a need in the art for improved techniques for monitoring progressive gaming environments. It also will be appreciated that there is a need in the art for progressive gaming environment monitoring techniques that comply or substantially comply with, and/or are accepted as effective and proven alternatives for complying with the spirit of gaming rules pertaining to monitoring and/or surveillance for progressive and/or other jackpot awards.

[0014] Despite the industry's standard preference for accepting such rules, the inventor of the instant application has realized that it may be possible to provide better solutions to the monitoring requirements of gaming jurisdictions like Indiana. In particular, as technology has changed significantly since the particular Indiana statute was adopted in 1996. In particular, progressive games in the form of in-machine, wide-area, mystery, random rewards, and other games, have become pervasive and widespread throughout the gaming industry. These factors have significantly changed the environment such that the particular rules of Indiana, and those rules of other gaming jurisdictions, may be considered "burdensome and impractical." As such, the inventor of the instant application has determined that it may be possible to justify novel techniques for complying with the spirit of the particular gaming rules related to the monitoring of progressives.

[0015] Indeed, the inventor of the instant application has determined that the motivation underlying gaming jurisdictions' rules related to the monitoring of progressive jackpot and other jackpot award displays generally relates more to the ability to successfully resolve players' complaints or grievances, rather than regulating the industry. Gaming establishments generally are not under any obligation to pay out an amount for a progressive other than that which they promise. Thus, the crux of the regulations is designed to help ensure that players are not cheated rather than to help ensure that gaming environments are not cheating. Indeed, it is believed that more than 90% of complaints related to progressive jackpot and other jackpot payouts are not the result of willful wrongdoing on the part of the gaming environment. Rather, when problems arise, they typically relate to "bugs" in the code or programmed logic circuitry controlling the awards, power outages, etc.

[0016] Accordingly, one illustrative aspect of certain exemplary embodiments of this invention relates to improved techniques for monitoring progressive gaming environments.

[0017] Another illustrative, aspect of certain exemplary embodiments relates to progressive gaming environment monitoring techniques that comply or substantially comply with, and/or are accepted as effective and proven alternatives for complying with the spirit of gaming rules pertaining to monitoring and/or surveillance for progressive and/or other non-progressive jackpot awards. [0018] Still another illustrative aspect of certain exemplary embodiments relates to techniques for capturing video signals related to progressive or nonprogressive jackpot odometers.

[0019] Still another illustrative aspect of certain exemplary embodiments relates to techniques for capturing "packetized" progressive or non-progressive jackpot odometer data sent across a gaming network.

[0020] Yet another illustrative aspect of certain exemplary embodiments relates to an auditor module configured to. display information pertaining to the monitored displays, and/or display or recreate the monitored displays. [0021] In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, a jackpot monitoring system for use in a gaming environment is provided. At least one gaming machine is configured to enable a player to play a base game and qualify for a jackpot award. A jackpot controller is connected to the at least one game machine over a network, with the jackpot controller being configured to coordinate distribution of jackpot awards. A display device is connected to the jackpot controller via the network, with the display device being configured to display data related to the distribution of jackpot awards via the jackpot controller. Capturing programmed logic circuitry is configured to capture data related to the distribution of jackpot awards displayed on the display device. A computer includes a jackpot auditing module. The jackpot auditing module being configured to (a) receive captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry, (b) store the captured data to a database, (c) present at least some of the captured data on a display of the computer, and (d) detect any abnormalities with the captured data and/or components in the jackpot monitoring system. The captured data includes at least a value of the jackpot award shown on the display device and a time corresponding to when the value is displayed on the display device.

[0022] In certain exemplary embodiments of this invention, there is provided a jackpot monitoring method in a networked gaming environment. The networked gaming environment comprises at least one gaming machine configured to enable a player to play a base game and qualify for a jackpot award; a jackpot controller connected to the at least one game machine over a network, with the jackpot controller being configured to coordinate distribution of jackpot awards; and a display device connected to the jackpot controller via the network, with the display device being configured to display data related to the distribution of jackpot awards via the jackpot controller. The method comprises capturing, via capturing programmed logic circuitry, data related to the distribution of jackpot awards displayed on the display device; and providing, via a computer including a jackpot auditing module, jackpot auditing services. The jackpot auditing services, in turn, are provided by receiving captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry, storing the captured data to a database, presenting at least some of the captured data on a display of the computer, and detecting any abnormalities with the captured data and/or components in the jackpot monitoring system. The captured data includes at least a value of the jackpot award shown on the display device and a time corresponding to when the value is displayed on the display device.

[0023] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the reference data may correspond to data received from the jackpot controller.

[0024] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the networked gaming environment may further comprises: (a) a video camera, wherein any video obtained by the video camera is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry, and/or (b) a splitter located between the display device and a display controller operably connected to the display device, wherein at least some of video passing through the splitter is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry, and/or (c) a display controller operably connected to the display device, wherein at least some of video processed by or to be processed by the display controller is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry. The capturing programmed logic circuitry may be further configured to digitize any received video and/or recognize content of the video, in certain exemplary embodiments. The capturing programmed logic circuitry may be connected to and may receive data directly from the jackpot controller, in certain exemplary embodiments.

[0025] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the jackpot auditing module may be further configured to detect an abnormality based on a comparison between the captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry and reference data obtained from a separate independent source. For example, the abnormality may be detected when a comparison between a value displayed on the display device and a corresponding value from the reference data do not fall within a predetermined value threshold of one another. The comparison may be adjusted so as to account for a time delay between when the captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry and reference data are obtained from their respective sources, in certain exemplary embodiments. As another example, the jackpot auditing module may be further configured to detect an abnormality based on a partial or complete power outage. When an abnormality is detected, the jackpot auditing module may be further configured to send a message to designated personnel in certain exemplary embodiments.

[0026] In certain exemplary embodiments, a gaming monitoring system for use in a gaming environment is provided. At least one gaming machine configured to enable a player to play a base game on a display connected thereto, with an amount of credits being displayable on the display in response to the player playing the base game. Capturing programmed logic circuitry is configured to capture data related to the number of credits displayed on the display. A computer including an auditing module is provided. The auditing module being configured to: (a) receive captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry, (b) store the captured data to a database, (c) present at least some of the captured data on a display of the computer, and (d) detect any abnormalities with the captured data and/or components in the gaming monitoring system. The captured data includes at least the displayed number of credits and a time corresponding to when the number of credits is displayed on the display of the at least one gaming machine.

[0027] These exemplary features, aspects, and advantages may be combined in various combinations ways to achieve yet further embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] These and other features, aspects, and advantages will be better and more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, of which:

[0029] Figure 1 shows a plurality of gaming machines and associated peripherals being located on a casino floor and being connected in a networked environment;

[0030] Figure 2 is an illustrative display showing a typical progressive odometer overlaid on one or more graphic images;

[0031] Figure 3 is a conventional system for monitoring progressive gaming environments;

[0032] Figure 4 is an illustrative splitter-based capture system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [0033] Figure 5 is an illustrative alternate video-out capture system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] Figure 6a is an illustrative display showing a typical progressive odometer overlaid on one or more graphic images, in accordance with the alternate video-out capture system of Fig. 5;

[0035] Figure 6b is a display illustrating the content captured in accordance with the alternate video-out capture system of Fig. 5;

[0036] Figure 7 is an illustrative progressive data capture system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] Figure 8 is an illustrative screenshot of a progressive auditor module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0038] Figure 9 is an illustrative screenshot of an event recall request module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

[0039] Figure 10 is an illustrative screenshot of an event recall results module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to systems and/or methods for monitoring displays located in a gaming environment. More particularly, certain exemplary embodiments relate to systems and/or methods for monitoring progressive jackpot related information shown on displays in gaming environments. Such techniques may include video display signal splitters, redirectors, and/or converters. Additionally, or in the alternative, such techniques may include packet capturing programmed logic circuitry configured to capture jackpot (e.g., progressive jackpot) and other display content related packets communicated in a networked gaming environment. Certain exemplary embodiments may include an auditor module configured to display information pertaining to the monitored displays, and/or display or recreate the monitored displays.

[0041] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a plurality of gaming machines 100 and associated peripherals being located on a casino floor and being connected in a networked environment. For aesthetic purposes, belly glass 101 often is provided on gaming machines. Each gaming machine includes a first display area 102, generally referred to as a game screen. The game screen 102 traditionally has been where most of the "action" happens. For example, the game screen 102 may simulate the rolling of the reels on a slot machine and thus indicate whether the user has won any money. A second display area 104, generally referred to as a top box, also is provided. The top box 104 may display additional information for the patron, such as, for example, advertising, generally entertaining animations, bonus game opportunities, etc.

[0042] The game screen 102 and/or the top box 104 may be touch screen monitors and thus accept input directly. Such input may pertain to, for example, the number of credits to bet, the way in which a bet may be made, whether to initiate a bet, whether to cash out, etc. In other cases, a separate control panel (not shown) may be provided to enable the same and/or similar functionality.

[0043] The gaming machine 100 also is provided with a player tracking module

(PTM) area 106. The PTM area 106 includes a payment acceptor (e.g., a card reader, a coin and/or dollar acceptor, etc.) 108 to accept payment (e.g., cash, an encoded card storing credits, or the like) from the patron. A small display screen (or PTM) 1 10 is located in the PTM area 106 and enables the patron to access certain other more individualized services. For example, the PTM 110 may enable the patron to call an attendant to order drinks. In such a case, the PTM 110 may cause the candle 112 (e.g., one or more differently colored lights) of the gaming machine 100 to become lit to signal to casino personnel that the patron is requesting some form of service. The PTM 1 10 typically is an LCD screen and typically is operated using control panel 1 1 1. [0044] The PTM 1 10 may have a computer-readable storage medium (not shown) associated therewith. The computer-readable storage medium typically is a small flash drive, hard drive, or other suitable memory location. Information may be distributed to the PTM 110 and at least temporarily stored on the computer-readable storage medium. In this way, it is possible to provide some media offerings to the gaming machine 100 for display by the PTM 110. More particularly, the computer- readable storage medium is used as a buffer for the media offerings that ultimately may be displayed by the PTM 110. [0045] The game screen 102 and the top box 104, and the respective associated circuitry, typically are provided by a single company. The PTM 110 often is provided by another vendor. Sometimes, the PTM 110 will be integrated into the gaming machine 100. However, it is often the case that the gaming machine 100 will be retrofitted with a PTM 110. As such, the hardware and software systems for the game screen 102 and the top box 104 typically are independent of the hardware and software systems for the PTM 110.

[0046] This separation often makes integration between the various components cumbersome. Thus, to accommodate these features related to the PTM area 106, gaming machines are equipped with special purpose hardware. It will be appreciated that the player management tracking and information management features provided typically exist outside of the normal base game(s) environment, which deal directly with game play rather than ancillary services, patron interaction, feedback, and the like.

[0047] It will be appreciated that although the gaming machines 100 shown in

Fig. 1 all appear the same, the present invention is not so limited. A wide variety of gaming machines may be provided, as may table games, roulette tables, etc. Variations to each may include changes in terms of configuration, style, type, functionality, payoffs, etc.

[0048] In many cases, an RS-485 connection is utilized. The connection often is to a machine interface card (or MIC) 114 located within each gaming machine. In essence, the MIC 1 14 translates between the gaming machine 100 and the network 1 18, making all such gaming machines appear to be the same from the perspective of the network 1 18.

[0049] As alluded to above, a plurality of gaming machines 100 may be located on a casino floor and being connected in a networked environment, e.g., via network 1 18. To this end, a plurality of central systems (not shown) are connected to the networked environment to collect and/or distribute data, as necessary. Each gaming machine 100 may be connected to^' one or more of the central systems via a network link. Such network links typically are proprietary and are based on unicast, broadcast, multi-drop, and/or other suitable network protocols. Although proprietary protocols often are implemented, the typical effect is that data is transmitted to/from the central systems over a broadcast channel or to one or more targeted groups (e.g., a bank of gaming machines in a row, in a particular area of the gaming floor, etc.) over connections.

[0050] There are at least three separate systems or modules comprising the central systems. A first system, management and accounting subsystem, provides management and accounting functions, also sometimes called auditing functions. Typically, these functions gather and/or report coin-in and coin-out operations, door openings (e.g., when a gaming machine is serviced), service cycles in general, ticket replacements, and the like. This activity generally is linked to the game being played on the gaming machine and/or the gaming machine itself.

[0051] A second system, player tracking subsystem, provides player tracking functions. More specifically, such systems link players on the gaming floor to particular activities undertaken by the players on the gaming floor. The information typically tracked for each player includes, for example, the session of game play (e.g., date, time, location, type of machine, type of game, etc.) as well as the individual's profile (e.g., name, address, and/or other identifying information such as hair color). The player tracking subsystem also may interface with the PTM 1 10 of a particular gaming machine 100.

[0052] A third system, bonusing subsystem, provides enhancements which may or may not be related to the base game. Such enhancements may relate to bonusing, progressive games, mystery, secondary games, random rewards (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,626,758, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference), etc. This system typically interfaces with the PTM 110. [0053] Other systems may be included in the central systems 1 14. For example, other modules may be provided for detecting cash-in, cash out and/or data mining purposes. Data mining may be used, for example, in connection with marketing activities, accounting and/or auditing activities, etc. [0054] Reports may be generated by the central systems, for example, to report on earnings, operational efficiencies, repairs, etc. Such reports also may be the result of the above-described data mining operations. [0055] An in-machine meter 1 16 may be provided to the gaming machines 100 to cooperate with the central systems (e.g., to provide information regarding game plays, amounts of wagers, payoffs, etc.).

[0056] In addition to the gaming machines 100 existing in the network, one or more overhead displays 122 may be connected to the network 1 18. The overhead displays 122 may receive data from the central systems indicating, for example, the jackpot amount(s) (e.g., current, daily, monthly, etc.), payouts (e.g., current, daily, monthly, etc.), winners, etc. ^:

[0057] A jackpot controller 120 also is connected to the network 1 18. A single jackpot controller may be assigned to a bank of gaming machines 100. Typically, a jackpot controller is configured to accept a single bank of up to 124 gaming machines. The jackpot controller 120 may be responsible for calculating jackpots, changing the turnover on every hit and/or on every play, returning the winning amounts, etc. The jackpot controller 120 may be a progressive jackpot controller or it may be a nonprogressive jackpot controller.

[0058] Fig. 2 is an illustrative display showing a typical progressive odometer overlaid on one or more graphic images. The progressive odometer 202 of Fig. 2 is shown as being displayed on an overhead display 122, although it will be appreciated that it may be displayed on any suitable display, such as, for example, a display of a gaming machine, an upright display, a display in a restaurant, a leader board, etc. The progressive odometer 202 in the Fig. 2 example is represented numerically and increments itself much like an odometer in a vehicle. It may be overlaid on one or more graphical images, including a gauge face 204 with an arrow 206 indicative of, for example, player level, the time until an award is dispensed, proximity to a maximum jackpot size at which an award or awards will be made, etc. These images also are overlaid on a background image 208. It will be appreciated that such graphical images may be static, animated, or both.

[0059] As noted above, because displays showing jackpot amounts have become quite popular, a number of gaming jurisdictions have required such displays to be monitored. The spirit of such rules, at least in part, relates to protecting players, rather than absolutely ensuring compliance on the part of gaming establishments. [0060] To this end, Fig. 3 is a conventional system for monitoring progressive gaming environments. In Fig. 3, the gaming machine 100 is connected to a jackpot controller 120 via a MIC 114. The gaming machine 100 communicates with the MIC 1 14 over a serial, pulse, SAS, or other suitable connection. The jackpot controller 120, in turn, is connected to a media router 302.

[0061] The media router 302 sends signals corresponding to a display controller

304, which ultimately sends a signal to the overhead display 122. For example, the media router 302 may send signals corresponding to the current amount of the jackpot, whether a win has occurred, which animations to display, etc. The display controller 304 may interpret these signals and generate a suitable video output for display on the overhead display 122 by, for example, overlaying or mixing the jackpot amount on one or more graphics or animations during incrementation of the jackpot, displaying animations once an award has been won, etc. The relevant images or videos may be stored on the display controller 304 itself, sent to it through the media router 302 or other source (e.g., from a media vault, not shown), etc. The graphics or animations may be any suitable combination of still images and videos, which may be in any acceptable format. For example, images may be in TIFF, JPEG, GIF, BMP, or any other suitable format(s), and videos may be in MPEG, AVI, or any other suitable format(s). Once the video signal is generated by the display controller 304, it may be relayed to the display 122 via an appropriate connection (e.g., a VGA, HDMI, DVI, composite, component, LVDS, or other connection). The signals optionally may incorporate sound in addition to rvideo.

[0062] The camera 306 proximate to the overhead display 122 records the display shown on the overhead display 122. As noted above, this signal from the camera 306 may be digitized and fed via cable to a digital video recording device (not shown) in a surveillance office which may be remote from the actual display 122 (e.g., remote from casino floor, slot bank, etc.).

[0063] Certain exemplary embodiments improve upon these conventional techniques in ways that comply or substantially comply with, or may be accepted as effective and proven alternatives for complying with, the spirit of gaming rules pertaining to monitoring and/or surveillance for progressive and/or other jackpot awards.

[0064] Certain exemplary embodiments may implement a splitter in order to allow for the monitoring of progressive odometers. This allows a direct "tap" of the video frames at the last step before they are converted into pixels by the display. For example, Fig. 4 is an illustrative splitter-based capture system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. At the point where video is fed into the display 122 (e.g., between the display 122 and the display controller 304), a splitter 400 may be inserted. The splitter may receive input from the display controller in an input port 402. First and second output ports 404a, 404b are provided to the splitter 400. The first output port 404a may act as a pass-through from the display controller 304 to the display 122. Thus, the first output port 404a and the input port 402 may be of the same type. For example, the first output port 404a and the input port 402 may be VGA ports. The second output port 404b may connect to a video recorder (not shown) via a suitable video recorder connection 405. The first and second output ports 404a, 404b may be of the same or different types. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the splitter 400 also may include a converter feature such that the signal from received via the input port 402 is converted to a different type for output port 404b (and thus for the connected recorder). By way of example and without limitation, the input port 402 and the first and second output ports 404a, 404b may be any suitable combination of VGA, HDMI, DVI, composite, component, LVDS, or other suitable connection type.

[0065] The approach shown in and described in connection with Fig. 4 is advantageous for several reasons. For example, this approach reduces costs by replacing video cameras with video splitters, which tend to be much less expensive. Similarly, the recorder essentially functions as a direct capture device, and therefore may reduce the need for wiring, additional components, etc. An example product that converts a VGA signal to an S-video and/or composite video connector is the SW- 4626 PC to TV converter, commercially available from Sewell. [0066] Certain exemplary embodiments may utilize a second output port of the display controller 304 in order to allow for the monitoring of progressive odometers. Fig. 5 is an illustrative alternate video-out capture system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In Fig..5, a first output port of the display controller 304 is configured to send video signals to the display over a display connection 502, whereas a second output port of the display controller 304 is configured to send video signals to the video recorder over a video recorder connection 504. As above, the first and second output ports of the display controller 304 may be the same or different, and they may be, for example, any suitable combination of VGA, HDMI, DVI, composite, component, LVDS, or other suitable connection types.

[0067] The approach shown in and described in connection with Fig. 5 is advantageous in that no additional hardware is required. Thus, for example, video cameras, splitters (e.g., as shown in and described in connection with Fig. 4), and/or other hardware is not necessary.

[0068] Although some video controllers 304 may be configured to simultaneously output video signals to two output ports, some video controllers may be configured to show only a subset of the layers outputted to the display 122. In such a case, the numerical representation of the display would be outputted to the video recorder connection 504 via the second port. Accordingly, the output to the display 122 may differ from the content captured. In particular, Fig. 6a is an illustrative display showing a typical progressive odometer overlaid on one or more graphic images, in accordance with the alternate video-out capture system of Fig. 5, whereas Fig. 6b is a display illustrating the content captured in accordance with the alternate video-out capture system of Fig. 5. In Fig. 6a, the numerical representation 202 and the background images/animations (e.g., the flower and the cloud in this example) are shown on the display 122. However, the captured "display" 122' shows only the numerical representation 202 on top of a non-descript or generic background 208', which may be black, blue, green; or of any suitable visual orientation that may or may not aid in the layering of content when displayed on an actual display 122. [0069] Certain exemplary embodiments may implement a packet capturing approach for to allow for the monitoring of progressive odometers. Fig. 7 is an illustrative progressive data capture system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The system illustrated in Fig. 7 operates under the premise that when it becomes possible to record a surrogate of "the real world," one option for doing so involves the capturing of the digital data that the graphic odometer actually represents. As such, electrons essentially are captured before they become photons, in recording the surrogate.

[0070] This approach employs a network monitoring device 700 to log, substantially in real-time, the gaming data being sent to a display controller 304. By recording every gaming packet, an historical record is kept of the data the display controller 304 used to generate the odometer graphics that were sent to the display 122. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the progressive gaming data from the jackpot controller 120 that is sent to the display controller over display controller link 403 is captured by the network monitoring device 700 and stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0071] This approach advantageously may capture and record data pertaining to a plurality of progressive jackpots (e.g., for different levels of play such as platinum, gold, sliver, etc. levels; for completely different games; etc.). The data may be stored to one or more memory locations for an extended period of time. Additionally, the data may be encrypted (e.g., for security purposes) and/or compressed (e.g., to facilitate additional storage).

[0072] As alluded to above, raw, packetized data may be captured and recorded. More particularly, raw packets pertaining to the progressive data as well as the video may be captured in certain exemplary embodiments. In certain exemplary embodiments, raw packets for jackpot related information and other content data may be sent via a serial connection, an Ethernet connection, etc. In general, a packet will include a header and data. Optionally, an error checking code (e.g., a CRC) may be included in a packet. Packets may be multicasted across the gaming network, such that a channel is provided for one or more jackpot controllers, one or more levels of one or more jackpot controllers, various image and/or video content offerings, etc. [0073] The following request/response packet may be implemented over UDP in connection with certain exemplary embodiments:

[0074] Similarly, the following request/response packet may be implemented for serial transport in connection with certain exemplary embodiments:

[0075] Sequence numbers may be used to facilitate communications by sending and/or acknowledging packets over a common packet sequence number before incrementing the count.

[0076] The data group packets may be grouped by categories. Of interest are jackpot-related categories and other display content categories. Both may contain descriptors and commands. Jackpot-related categories may include an array of jackpot-related information comprising, for example, a level ID, a flag for whether a hit is pending, and an odometer value. Other display content categories may contain packets in accordance with the particular type of media being broadcast (e.g., MPEG related packets, TIFF related packets, etc.).

[0077] It will be appreciated that the foregoing is provided by way of example and without limitation. Other packet types including the same or different packet information may be used in connection with certain of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0078] A user interface accessibly via a computer system may be provided in certain exemplary embodiments. Such a user interface may facilitate the understanding, playback, auditing, etc., of recorded video.

[0079] In the case of the systems shown in and described in connection with

Figs. 4 and 5, the user interface may facilitate positioning a video source, e.g., by moving to an appropriate location on tape, digital video, or other storage medium where the video from the video recorder is recorded). In the case of the system shown in and described in connection with Fig. 7, the contents and/or attributes of the raw packets may be displayed to a user in certain exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, in certain exemplary embodiments, the packets may be processed to recreate the video display actually shown on the display 122.

[0080] Fig. 8 is an illustrative screenshot of a progressive auditor module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As noted above, the progressive auditor module 800 may be provided for use in connection with some or all of the systems shown in and described in connection with Figs. 4, 5, and/or 7. When a live monitor is implemented, a monitor status indicator 802 may be provided. The monitor status indicator 802 may indicate whether the connection is functioning properly, damaged, temporarily unavailable, etc.

[0081] Current progressive amounts display 804 may indicate, for each respective progressive level 804a, the current progressive amount 804b, which may or may not be displayed. The current progressive amounts display 804 may be updated substantially in real-time. Alternatively, when the progressive auditor module 800 is used to review historical data, it may update itself during the observation time period. Similar to the current progressive amounts display 804, the progressive trends display 806 shows the trends in progressive jackpot amounts for each respective level 806a, 806b, 806c, etc. The progressive trends display 806 may do this by plotting on a graph (e.g., a line chart) the progressive jackpot amount versus time. Again, the progressive trends display 806 may be updated substantially in real-time. Alternatively, when the progressive auditor module 800 is used to review historical data, it may update itself during the observation time period. [0082] Recent events of interest also may be displayed in a recent events display 808. Respective ones of such events 808a may be displayed in a list along with information associated therewith. Such information may include, for example, the date/time of the event, the type of the event (e.g., whether a winner was paid; when a link went up, down, was restored, etc.; when a win hit is detected; when a win was cleared; etc.), the type of gaming machine that registered the event (e.g., a machine provided by any provider such as, for example, Bally, IGT, Aristocrat, etc.), the level of the player, an amount associated with the event (e.g., the amount awarded), a more detailed plain-text description of the event, etc. The recent events display 808 may include a filter option 808b, whereby a user may choose to filter events shown in the display may be limited to, for example, any combination of wins, clears, errors, etc.

[0083] An event recall button 810 also may be provided. The event recall button 810 enable a user to search for events of interest using an event recall request module 900. To this end, Fig. 9 is an illustrative screenshot of an event recall request module 900 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. A user may use such a module 900 to specify more detailed search criteria for finding historical events. In certain exemplary embodiments, this feature may simply allow media to be advanced or rewound to particular dates and/or times. In certain exemplary embodiments, it may allow for more powerful searching. In the Fig. 9 example, the user may specify some or all of a level 902, a machine 904, a from date 906a, and a to date 906b. In certain exemplary embodiments, a more advanced point-and-click interface may be implemented in connection with one or more of a calendar, a clock, a schematic representation of the gaming establishment (e.g., representing gaming machines, displays, and/or the like), etc.

[0084] Fig. 10 is an illustrative screenshot of an event recall results module

1000 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The event recall results module 1000 lists all events matching the criteria specified in the event recall request module 900 in an event recall results list 1002. The same or similar information as that shown in and described in connection with the recent events display 808 of Fig. 8 may be shown in the event recall results lists 1002. Thus, the event recall results lists 1002 may include, for example, the date/time of the event, the type of the event (e.g., whether a winner was paid; when a link went up, down, was restored, etc.; when a win hit is detected; when a win was cleared; etc.), the type of gaming machine that registered the event (e.g., a machine provided by any provider such as, for example, Bally, IGT, Aristocrat, etc.), the level of the player, an amount associated with the event (e.g., the amount awarded), a more detailed plain-text description of the event, etc.

[0085] A particular event in the event recall results lists 1002 may be selected.

The selected event 1002a may populate additional fields, thereby conveying additional information about the particular event. For example, the precise date/time 1004 of the event may be provided, as may the event type 1006, the gaming machine the event occurred on 1008, the level of the player 1010, the amount 1012, and the description 1014. In addition, the raw data 1016 of the captured gaming-related packet may be displayed.

[0086] As noted above, a progressive auditor module may be provided for use in connection with some or all of the systems shown in and described in connection with Figs. 4, 5, and/or 7. A progressive auditor module also may be provided for use with a perhaps camera-based architecture similar, for example, to the approach shown in and described in connection with Fig. 3. It will be appreciated that although a progressive auditor module may collect and interpret packets directly from a jackpot controller, further techniques may be advantageous when packetized data cannot be directly collected. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, video signals captured from a camera 306, a splitter 400, a display controller 304, etc., may be further processed. The captured video signals may be digitized if necessary (e.g., if the camera does not provide a digital output directly), and a plurality of still frame images may be extracted from the video data. For example, still frames images may be extracted periodically, randomly, and/or upon user prompting. [0087] When periodic still frame images are extracted, the frequency of the extraction may be timed so as to capture each incrementation, every other incrementation, every third incrementation, etc. In addition or in the alternative, when periodic still frame images are extracted, the frequency of the extraction may be time- based. Thus, in addition or in the alternative, when periodic still frame images are extracted, the frequency of the extraction may be done at the fraction of a second level (e.g., such that 30 frames are captured per second, etc.), at each second, in multiple second intervals, etc. Furthermore, as another example that may be provided in addition or in the alternative to those presented herein, the period collection of still frame images may be set to coincide with average gaming machine turnover (e.g., every .1 or .2 seconds), average jackpot incrementations (e.g., based on historical or trended information about the jackpot incrementations at one or more gaming venues), etc.

[0088] Once still frame images are captured, the actual "odometer" value may be determined. Known optical character recognition (OCR) techniques may be used to accomplish this task. However, the accuracy of such known OCR techniques may be improved significantly, since many characteristics of the data to be recognized are known in advance. For example, because the location of the odometer with respect to the frame as a whole is known, extraneous data effectively can be "cropped out." In other words, recognition techniques can be focused on one or more areas of interest, e.g., corresponding to the odometer as a whole or to the digit locations individually or lumped together in groups of two or more digits.

[0089] As another example of how accuracy can be improved, it is noted that only a very limited character set is used in connection with an odometer (numerical values 0-9), and the character set is provided using a known font or typeface. Even when non-odometer displays are provided (e.g., upon a win event, etc.), the universe of possible results is limited and known in advance (e.g., "Winner," "Winner at Slot Machine X," "Next Giveaway at Y," "Error Code Z," etc.). As still another example of how accuracy of the recognition can be improved, it also is noted that the size, location, color, content, visual, and/or other characteristics of the background image (if any) are known. Thus, this data can be removed in whole or in part, e.g., by appropriate masking techniques, selective color removal, inverse selective color removal, etc. With these and/or other techniques, the accuracy of the data to be captured can be improved far beyond what ordinarily might be expected from known OCR techniques, thus making it possible to provide superior results within the context of optical character recognition of jackpot controller related data. [0090] Following such capture and interpretation processes, the relevant data may be recorded, e.g., to a remote and/or local database. The data to be recorded may include, for example, data relating to the time of the capture, the time the data actually is stored (as there may be some lag between when the video initially is recorded and digitized, when the still image frames are extracted, when the characters are recognized, etc.), the current value or textual display, a display device identifier identifying the display device from which the data was captured, a progressive level identifier identifying the progressive level associated with the display device, summary descriptive text about the recorded event, etc. As alluded to above, data may be stored and/or archived to multiple locations substantially simultaneously. Additionally, the data may be encrypted and/or compressed for storage. It will be appreciated that the data described above is exemplary, and that other data that could be useful in monitoring the progressive gaming environment, including the display devices, may be captured along with, or in place of, some or all of the types of data listed above.

[0091] In certain exemplary embodiments, flags may be set so that events potentially of interest may be reviewed at a later time, e.g., from a copy of data uploaded to a server. For example, based on data uploaded to a server, events potentially of interest may be "recreated" such that displays are generated up to the time of a flagged event, during the event, and just after the event. [0092] In addition to storing the data, it may, of course, be used to populate a suitable progressive auditor module in real-time or substantially real-time. [0093] Regardless of the technique by which the data is captured, an impetus

(e.g., the occurrence of an unexpected event or the non-occurrence of an expected event) may trigger the recording of data, the generation of an alert, the raising of a suitable prompt, and/or the taking of other actions as necessary. For example, one or more images from a camera, splitter, display controller, or the like, could be checked against known conditions, e.g., from a jackpot controller. In such an instance, any discrepancy outside of a predetermined range (e.g., a slight time lag of a fraction of a second, a second, or even a few seconds, to account for the processing) could prompt the generation of an alert. In a similar fashion, the mere fact that an incrementation is occurring could trigger such a comparison. Furthermore, the physical movement of the display, interference with the displayed screen, etc., could be detected and could further trigger a suitable prompt, e.g., indicating that someone might be moving the display in appropriately, that someone is trying to "hack" into the system, that the display device and/or display controller is/are experiencing problems. [0094] Other potential impetuses that could be monitored for include, for example, power outages, brownouts, system errors, and/or the like. Reported power outages, brownouts, system errors, system maintenance, and/or the like may be cross- referenced with a database of known problem events for the area. Such a database may be maintained by utility companies (e.g., in the case of power outages, brownouts, and the like), the gaming establishment (e.g., for any of the above- identified potential issues), equipment providers, and/or others. [0095] Additionally, an alert may be generated for a change in any of the values. For example, when a jackpot is hit, a change in the values (e.g., for a progressive) could be recognized. The change could be matched to a particular jackpot award as indicated by the jackpot controller. Any discrepancies, e.g., in terms of amount, timing, location, etc., could be recognized and recorded, and any desired prompting for further action could be undertaken.

[0096] Furthermore, screenshots of the screen may be taken at times when predetermined events occur. System-driven events may trigger the taking of screenshots and may or may not automatically cause further processing such as, for example, recognition, error reporting, etc. System-driven events include, for example, jackpot awards, jackpot controller fault conditions, tampering, etc. [0097] In certain exemplary embodiments, appropriate alerts may cause data to be fed back into the jackpot controller upon fault detection. For example, an alert may cause data to be fed back into the display system to refresh the screen or to write a message thereto. Thus, it is possible in certain exemplary embodiments to maintain a database regarding consistency for internal and/or external auditing and/or reporting requirements, etc. It also is possible in certain exemplary embodiments to return to previous operating conditions and/or parameters after a power outage is experienced. Thus, jackpot amounts and incrementations that otherwise would be "lost" to gamblers may be restored once the issue that caused the fault in the first place is resolved. Of course, it will be appreciated that the resetting of the system may require suitable authorization on the part of the gaming establishment, the underwriters of the awards and rewards, etc.

[0098] These alerts could be coupled to internal and/or external security systems. As noted above, alerts may be raised, prompting appropriate human and/or system action. Such alerts may be conveyed to casino security personnel, police and/or other gaming authorities, equipment suppliers, etc. Such alerts also may temporarily suspect activity while the problem is being investigated. [0099] As indicated above, certain exemplary embodiments may combine the approaches described herein. Thus, for example, certain exemplary embodiments may implement camera-based capture approaches, splitter-based approaches, display- controller output approaches, and/or jackpot controller output approaches in any suitable combination or sub-combination. Furthermore, as indicated above, when combination approaches are implemented, the results from a first approach may be checked or verified against one or more different approaches. Thus, for example, output from a jackpot controller may be treated as "reference" data, and data from a camera-based approach where video is captured, digitized (if necessary), and interpreted may be compared to the reference data from the jackpot controller. In such instances, predetermined and/or user-defined thresholds may be set to determine whether an alert should be created. For example, jackpot values discerned from a camera's video recording may be compared to the reference data from a jackpot controller, and an alert will not be raised provided that the value is within a predetermined monetary amount or corresponds to a value recorded within a predetermined time window.

[00100] It will be appreciated that the cameras used in certain exemplary embodiments may be any commercially available video cameras such as, for example, black and white or color cameras suitable for surveillance, home videos, commercial or amateur videography, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, webcams or the like also may be used, provided that they can record video with a suitable fidelity, e.g., they can capture a suitable number of frames per second at a suitable resolution. The cameras of certain exemplary embodiments may capture videos to digital and/or analog output media. In certain exemplary embodiments, digital "still" cameras may be used, provided that they can capture still images at a suitable frequency. The splitters and display controllers of certain exemplary embodiments also may output video signals to digital and/or analog outputs which may, in turn, be recorded to digital memory locations and/or analog media.

[00101] It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and/or portions thereof may be implemented as and/or include any suitable combination of programmed logic circuitry (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, and/or the like). Additionally, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and/or portions thereof may be implemented as or be stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

[00102] As will be appreciated from Indiana's statutory language quoted above, the monitoring requirements in that jurisdiction presently appear to be limited to displays that show the current incrementing progressive values (e.g., progressive odometers). These displays may be, for example, LEDs, LCDs, plasmas, and/or the like, which may be on gaming machines or anywhere in gaming environment. However, the Indiana gaming statute appears to indicate that the only displays of concern are those that are "outside of gaming machines. As such, in Indiana, progressive odometers on top box and/or PTM displays may or may not fall into this category, as there is a reasonable argument that top box and PTM displays are "outside of gaming machines.

[00103] Notwithstanding this intricacy of Indiana's gaming statute, it is noted that other jurisdictions are not so limited in terms of the types of values to be monitored and/or in terms of the displays on which such incrementing values are shown. For example, other jurisdictions mandate monitoring of progressive and nonprogressive jackpot amounts, bonus awards, and/or the like, which may be shown in or on gaming machines and/or any other suitable display device. In this vein, it will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to progressive and non-progressive jackpots, bonus awards, and/or the like, displayed on any suitable display device. It also will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be used in other gaming jurisdictions apart from Indiana, which is provided merely as an example of typical gaming jurisdiction having typical gaming rules.

[00104] Although certain exemplary embodiments have been described as relating to gaming machines and table games in casinos, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited. For example, the exemplary embodiments described herein may be used in connection with casinos, riverboats, restaurants, hotels, etc.

[00105] The exemplary embodiments described herein can be adapted for use with other forms of gaming where known physical features (such as, for example, meters are displayed), and can be monitored. For instance, the exemplary embodiments described herein can be adapted for use with slot machines, table games, roulette tables (e.g., the location of the ball can be determined), dice games (e.g., the upward faces or side faces on dies can be determined), and/or other systems or devices that display gaming data to players and/or are monitorable within areas of interest. In such embodiments, one camera or monitoring device may be used for each device to be monitored (e.g., one camera per electronic gaming machine), or one camera or monitoring device can capture data for two or more devices, provided that it is properly oriented. It will be appreciated that the camera may have to be oriented so that its view of the relevant area of the device to be monitored is not easily obstructed, e.g., by a player. Thus, cameras may be located overhead and/or placed at acute angles. When the captured data is processed, known stretching, rotational, and/or other graphics processing techniques may be used to make the display appear "normal," e.g., as one playing the game would see it, at least for further processing. Furthermore, advanced corrective and accuracy improving techniques such as, for example, those described above also can be used to improve the accuracy of the capturing and/or interpreting of data. The cameras also may be rotatably and/or otherwise movably mounted so as to be able to observe different devices, e.g., upon receiving suitable instructions from an authorized user, etc. [00106] In the case of gaming machines, for example, captured results can be compared with reference data from a MIC card. In the case of server-based games, for example, captured results can be compared with reference data from the server itself. In the case of table games, for example, captured results can be compared with dealer or pit boss entered data. Reference data can be obtained for roulette, dice, and/or other games in these and/or other ways.

[00107] When two or more areas of interest are monitored by a single device, the data may be associated with a particular and stored accordingly. Similarly, when two or more areas of interest are monitored by two or more cameras, the data may be associated with a particular and stored accordingly. Separate storage locations and/or databases may be maintained for each source.

[00108] In these and/or other ways, any screen and/or area of interest can be monitor, e.g., when a gaming venue has reason to monitor the activities on a particular device. For example, a gaming venue might have reason to monitor a single slot machine as part of an investigation of the device, a player playing at the device, etc.

Certain exemplary embodiments of this invention advantageously enable a gaming venue to monitor only those devices that require physical monitoring, e.g., where cheating is suspected.

[00109] Thus, the exemplary features, aspects, and advantages described herein may be combined in yet further ways to achieve further embodiments.

[00110] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A jackpot monitoring system for use in a gaming environment, comprising: at least one gaming machine configured to enable a player to play a base game and qualify for a jackpot award; a jackpot controller connected to the at least one game machine over a network, the jackpot controller being configured to coordinate distribution of jackpot awards; a display device connected to the jackpot controller via the network, the display device being configured to display data related to the distribution of jackpot awards via the jackpot controller; capturing programmed logic circuitry configured to capture data related to the distribution of jackpot awards displayed on the display device; and a computer including a jackpot auditing module, the jackpot auditing module being configured to:

(a) receive captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry,

(b) store the captured data to a database,

(c) present at least some of the captured data on a display of the computer, and

(d) detect any abnormalities with the captured data and/or components in the jackpot monitoring system, wherein the captured data includes at least a value of the jackpot award shown on the display device and a time corresponding to when the value is displayed on the display device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the jackpot auditing module is further configured to detect an abnormality based on a comparison between the captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry and reference data obtained from a separate independent source.

3. The system of any one of claims 2, wherein the reference data corresponds to data received from the jackpot controller.

4. The system of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the abnormality is detected when a comparison between a value displayed on the display device and a corresponding value from the reference data do not fall within a predetermined value threshold of one another.

5. The system of any one of claims 2-4, wherein the comparison is adjusted so as to account for a time delay between when the captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry and reference data are obtained from their respective sources.

6. The system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the jackpot auditing module is further configured to detect an abnormality based on a partial or complete power outage.

7. The system of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the jackpot auditing module is further configured to send a message to designated personnel when an abnormality is detected.

8. The system of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a video camera, wherein any video obtained by the video camera is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry.

9. The system of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a splitter located between the display device and a display controller operably connected to the display device, wherein at least some of video passing through the splitter is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry.

10. The system of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a display controller operably connected to the display device, wherein at least some of video processed by or to be processed by the display controller is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry.

11. The system of any one of claims 8- 10, wherein the capturing programmed logic circuitry is further configured to digitize any received video.

12. The system of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the capturing programmed logic circuitry is further configured to recognize content of the video.

13. The system of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the capturing programmed logic circuitry is connected to and receives data directly from the jackpot controller.

14. The system of anyone of claims 1-13, wherein the jackpot auditing module is further configured to feed captured data back into the jackpot controller to recover from an abnormality.

15. The system of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the jackpot award is a progressive jackpot award and the jackpot controller is a progressive jackpot controller.

16. A jackpot monitoring method in a networked gaming environment comprising: at least one gaming machine configured to enable a player to play a base game and qualify for a jackpot award; a jackpot controlled connected to the at least one game machine over a network, the jackpot controller being configured to coordinate distribution of jackpot awards; and a display device connected to the jackpot controller via the network, the display device being configured to display data related to the distribution of jackpot awards via the jackpot controller, a method comprising: capturing, via capturing programmed logic circuitry, data related to the distribution of jackpot awards displayed on the display device; and providing, via a computer including a jackpot auditing module, jackpot auditing services by: receiving captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry, storing the captured data to a database, presenting at least some of the captured data on a display of the computer, and detecting any abnormalities with the captured data and/or components in the jackpot monitoring system, wherein the captured data includes at least a value of the jackpot award shown on the display device and a timeicorresponding to when the value is displayed on the display device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising detecting, via the jackpot auditing module, an abnormality based on a comparison between the captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry and reference data obtained from a separate independent source.

18. The method of any one of claim 17, wherein the reference data corresponds to data received from the jackpot controller.

19. The method of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the abnormality is detected when a comparison between a value displayed on the display device and a corresponding value from the reference data do not fall within a predetermined value threshold of one another.

20. The method of any one of claims 17-19, wherein the comparison is adjusted so as to account for a time delay between when the captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry and reference data are obtained from their respective sources.

21. The method of any one of claims 16-20, further comprising detecting, via the jackpot auditing module, an abnormality based on a partial or complete power outage.

22. The method of any one of claims 16-21 , further comprising sending, via the jackpot auditing module, a message to designated personnel when an abnormality is detected.

23. The method of any one of claims 16-22, wherein the networked gaming environment further comprises:

(a) a video camera, wherein any video obtained by the video camera is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry, and/or

(b) a splitter located between the display device and a display controller operably connected to the display device, wherein at least some of video passing through the splitter is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry, and/or

(c) a display controller operably connected to the display device, wherein at least some of video processed by or to be processed by the display controller is output to the capturing programmed logic circuitry.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising recognizing content of the video.

25. The method of any one of claims 16-24, wherein the capturing programmed logic circuitry is connected to and receives data directly from the jackpot controller. >

26. The method of any one of claims 16-25, further comprising feeding captured data back into the jackpot controller to recover from an abnormality via the jackpot auditing module.

27. The method of any one of claims 16-26, wherein the jackpot award is a progressive jackpot award and the jackpot controller is a progressive jackpot controller.

28. A gaming monitoring system for use in a gaming environment, comprising: at least one gaming machine configured to enable a player to play a base game on a display connected thereto, an amount of credits being displayable on the display in response to the player playing the base game; capturing programmed logic circuitry configured to capture data related to the number of credits displayed on the display; and a computer including an auditing module, the auditing module being configured to:

(a) receive captured data from the capturing programmed logic circuitry,

(b) store the captured data to a database,

(c) present at least some of the captured data on a display of the computer, and

(d) detect any abnormalities with the captured data and/or components in the gaming monitoring system, wherein the captured data includes at least the displayed number of credits and a time corresponding to when the number of credits is displayed on the display of the at least one gaming machine.