Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL OPERATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the operation of a video lottery terminal used for
playing a game,
or for gaming purposes.
The video lottery terminal may be intended for use by a single player i.e. for
single player
games or gaming, or it may form part of a multiplayer arrangement which allows
a plurality
of players to participate in a game or games.
As used herein the words "game" and "gaming" are interchangeable and are
intended to
relate to activities in which one or more players participate irrespective of
whether or not
there is a monetary reward at stake.
Computer based video gaming machines are subject to strict regulations dealing
with the
operation of such machines. To adhere to these regulations it is essential to
ensure that
operational parameters of a video lottery terminal are correctly established
and
maintained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method of operating a video lottery terminal which
includes the
steps, according to requirement, of
(a) placing the video lottery terminal in a player mode wherein the video
lottery terminal
can interact with a player and peripheral equipment in a game mode, and
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(b) placing the video lottery terminal in a maintenance mode in which a
plurality cf
functions of the video lottery terminal are tested using computer means
embodied
in the video lottery terminal.
It is also possible, according to the method of the invention, to place the
video lottery
terminal in an initialisation mode in which an initialisation routine is
performed.
In the initialisation mode a set-up or configuration for a player station is
established.
In the maintenance mode the functions of the player station are tested,
preferably to the
maximum extent possible, without making use of external or specialised test
equipment.
The invention may provide that the maintenance mode is selectable only when
the video
lottery terminal is opened ie. accessed, by a service operator. Additionally
the
maintenance mode may only be enabled when a suitable code, for example, a
service
operator PIN number, is entered and validated.
In the player mode the player station may perform its intended functions by
means of which
an interaction with a player and peripherals is achieved.
Preferably the initialisation mode is entered when power is first applied to
the player
station.
A plurality of internal functions may be tested during the initialisation
mode. For example
the following functions or components may be tested:
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(a) all addressable dynamic memory locations;
(b) external interface circuitry;
(c) serial communication controller;
(d) programmable memory checks and verification;
(e) back-up battery status;
(f) status of logic door switch;
(g) status of secure console door switch; and
(h) status of bill acceptor.
Communication links may be initialised.
If the initialisation mode is successfully completed then the player station
may be placed
in the player mode (also known as an operational mode).
Preferably the maintenance mode can be activated from within the player mode
subject
to the security features referred to hereinbefore. A plurality of functions
may be carried out
in the maintenance mode without making use of external or specialised test
equipment.
Without being limiting these functions may include the following:
(a) the application programme used in the player mode may be updated;
(b) service operator access codes may be entered or modified. As previously
indicated
these codes are required to allow service operators access to the
maintenance/player mode;
(c) built-in test functions may be carried out. For example printers, bill
acceptors, key
pad module and player credit displays may be tested; and
(d) data stored within the player station and relating to its operation may be
recalled.
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Such data may for example relate to metering systems used for logging
occurrences in a game played on the player station and events of a specified
nature
which have been detected and recorded.
The maintenance functions, which are akin to a self diagnostic routine, can be
carried out
on-line while a game is being played, or off-line. It is also possible to
implement such self
diagnostic routines on site or remotely for example through the medium of an
appropriate
network such as a local area network or the Internet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying
drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram form a video lottery terminal,
Figure 2 is a player station mode transition diagram,
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of operations carried out during an
initialisation
routine,
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of various maintenance mode functions,
and
Figure 5 illustrates a sequence of steps to enter a maintenance mode.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates components included in a video lottery
terminal in
which the method of the invention is implemented.
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Figure 1 illustrates a bill acceptor 10, a player station 12 which may be one
of a plurality
of similar stations, a printer 14, an industrial or host computer 16 such as a
PC, a location
controller 18, a key pad module 20, a player credit display device 22, and
apparatus 24
which is shown in block diagram form.
5 Each block within the apparatus 24 is labelled and has the function shown in
Table 1:
Block ReferencePurpose
Watchdog , 26 Restarting the ~-Controller if
the system hangs.
Program storage 28 Memory hosting application code.
Memory This can be
(PSM) FLASH, EPROM or EzPROM.
S-RAM 30 Scratch memory used during normal
operation
for temporary parameter storage
and
manipulation.
NV-Memory 32 Non-Volatile Memory for storage
of recovery
information.
Serial Interface 34 Controller that handles/provides
Controller all of the serial
communication interfaces of the
terminal.
~~-Controller 36 Embedded processor that executes
the
application code.
Control Logic 38 Logic implemented in a programmable
device
that enables the ,uC to access
and control all
functional blocks of the terminal.
Real-Time Clock 40 Device used for date and time
(RTC) keeping and used
for time-stamping specified events.
Data Integrity 42 Battery backed-up device that
Controller allows the
retrieval of recovery information
in case of a
complete power failure.
Lamp Drivers 44 Driver circuitry required for
driving incandescent
lamps of the terminal.
Tally meters & 46 Circuitry sensing the presence
switch of tally meters
sense circuits and sensing switch statuses to
the secure and
logic areas of the terminal.
Meter Drivers 48 Circuitry required to drive the
tally meters.
Player Inputs/buttons50 Circuitry required to sense the
player's
inputs/responses.
The apparatus 24 is an embedded computer controlled entity packaged into a
single
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enclosure 54 that provides a plurality of operational functions. Via the
serial interface
controller 34 the apparatus provides serial communication interfaces to
communicate with
the industrial computer 16, the location controller 18, the player credit
display 22, the bill
acceptor 10, the printer 14 and the key pad module 20. The apparatus further
facilitates
some aspects of the metering, monitoring and control aspects required by
gaming
legislation. Thus the apparatus provides the ability to detect the occurrence
of each of a
plurality of events, to time and date stamp each event which occurs and to
store data
relating thereto.
The microcontroller 36 is supported by the watchdog 26 which enables operation
to be
recovered in case the microcontroller hangs. A display 56 in the data
integrity controller
42 is used to indicate the occurrence of a watchdog reset.
The lamp driver 44 drives incandescent lamps 58 which are located in the
player buttons.
The sense circuits 46 detect the activation of a plurality of switches 60
(only one of which
is shown) which in turn detect the opening or closure of doors such as a door
to the
industrial computer, to the player station, to the terminal or to a cage which
holds a card
in the industrial computer.
The meter drivers 48 drive a plurality of externally connected
electromechanical tally
meters 62 which are required by legislation and which monitor critical aspects
of the game.
The circuitry 50 senses player's inputs or responses as reflected in switches
64, key pads
or the like.
The data integrity controller 42 provides a data recovery function for the
apparatus 24 and
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hence for the terminal. Status and security events are monitored and
information relating
thereto is time and date stamped and recorded in the non-volatile memory 32 so
that it is
available for data recovery. The data in the non-volatile memory may be
displayed on the
display 56 which is a liquid crystal display.
The industrial computer may be connected to a local or remote network 66 so
that data
may be accessed from a remote site.
The terminal is powered from a power source 68 and the apparatus form an
independent
power source 69.
The apparatus 24 can operate in a number of modes which are referred to herein
as
initialisation, maintenance and operational or player modes. The present
invention is
concerned particularly with the initialisation and maintenance modes.
Consequently only
passing reference is made to the operational or programme modes. It is to be
understood
however that, with the apparatus in the player mode, a player can play the
game to which
the video lottery terminal relates and all significant game events are logged
by the
apparatus 24. The apparatus includes the ability of maintaining full integrity
of data relating
to such critical events and, moreover, meters events, storing the subsequent
data in non-
volatile memory storage, for security and recovery purposes. This is the case
even if the
power supply 68 to the terminal fails, for the apparatus 24 is independently
powered by
the power source 69.
Figure 2 is a mode transition diagram of the player station indicating
different modes of
operation. To a substantial extent the diagram is self-explanatory. When power
is first
applied to the player station the player station is placed in an
initialisation mode 70 which
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is depicted in further detail in Figure 3. If the initialisation is successful
the industrial
computer 16 is notified that the player station is on-line and normal
operational
communication is commenced by commanding the player station to the operational
mode
i.e. the player mode 72. The maintenance mode, labelled 74 in Figure 2, is
entered in the
manner illustrated in Figure 5. If the video lottery terminal is opened by a
service operator
(block 76) it is possible for the operator to access a switch 78 which enables
the
maintenance mode 74 or the operational mode 72 to be selected. As a secondary
security
feature the maintenance mode 74 is only enabled when a service operator code
80 e.g.
a PIN number, is entered via the key pad module 20. Permissible PIN numbers
are stored
in the industrial computer 16 and the entered PIN number is validated in a
step 82 before
the maintenance mode 74 can be entered. All of these steps are logged in the
industrial
computer and in the apparatus 24.
Figure
3 depicts
in further
detail
various
steps
in the
initialisation
mode 70.
In the
first
insta nce a player station power-on self-test routine (84) is performed.
This routine covers
the
following
aspects
of the
player
station
(a) all addressable dynamic memory locations;
(b) external interface circuitry (if possible);
(c) serial communication controller(s);
(d) programmable memory checksum verification;
(e) backup battery status for the data integrity controller;
(f) status of logic door switch;
(g) status of secure console door switch; and
(h) status of bill acceptor.
Any failure during the routine 84 causes the player station to enter a
suspended mode 86
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which is under the control of the industrial computer 16. Errors which are
detected during
the routine 84 are displayed on the display device 56 shown in Figure 1.
The suspended mode 86 is a temporary state that the player station enters when
it
encounters a problem or error during the routine 84. Once the problem is
resolved or the
system is reset the player station leaves the suspended mode and resumes
normal
operation. It is to be noted that when the suspended mode is entered an
appropriate error
code linked to an event description is generated and this is logged in the
data integrity
controller 42.
The suspended mode is commanded by the industrial computer 16 in response to
the
status and security events reported to the industrial computer.
Once the routine 84 has been successfully completed the player station waits
for the
industrial computer 16 to poll it with a communication initialisation command
including a
communication integrity test or built in test (BIT). In response to the
command the player
station identifies itself and returns the computed result of the integrity
test data. Thus, in
the first instance, player station to industrial computer communication is
established and
verified.
Thereafter the player station waits for poll information from the local
controller 18. Again
communication between the player station and the local controller is
established and
verified. Thereafter the industrial computer initiates initialisation commands
to the printer
14 to test its response and verify the communication channel integrity.
A similar sequence of operations is carried out to test the response of the
key pad module
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20 and the player credit display 22 and, in each case, communication channel
integrity is
verified.
All of the preceding tests are embodied in the block identified by the numeral
88 and
labelled "initialise communications".
5
If the initialisation is successful the industrial computer 16 proceeds on the
basis that the
player stations are on-line and commences normal operational communication by
commanding the player stations to the appropriate mode of operation (90).
10 If configuration changes are to be made to the player station software then
the industrial
computer commands a software setup status (92) and the software configurable
parameters are down-Loaded from the industrial computer to the player station.
Such
parameters may include the items in Table 2 where BA denotes the bill
acceptor; RTC the
real time clock; PS the player station; LC the local controller; IC the
industrial computer;
I/F the interface connection between the terminal and the apparatus 24:
ParameterlFunctionPurpose
BA Escrow functionThis parameter enables or disenables the
BA escrow function.
BA Security level This parameter selects the required security
mode of the BA.
BA Orientation This parameter sets type bill orientations
selection to be accepted.
BA Push/NoPush These parameters select the Push or NoPush
select mode of the
BA.
RTC date-time set Adjust the PS RTC.
Currency Currency used ($, R, etc.)
Credit basis Basis used for credits (iCr = N currency
value)
Display resolutionDisplay resolution of Plasma/CRT display
- this is mainly
required for the IC only.
PS serial number Supplier assigned serial number (4-bytes)[EPROM]
PS software revisionPS Software revision that is hard-coded
into the PS EPROM.
(2-bytes) [FLASH].
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PS software signatureSignature of the PS software (16-bit
value) [EZPROM].
PS Address Hardware selected (1-byte)(1 to 64) [Dip
switch selectable].
LC I/F PS/IC Selection whereby the LC interface connection
is selected.
The default is IC. '
Jackpot meter clicksSelectable option to specify $x = n jackpot
meter clicks
Cash-out limit Adjustable value to change the minimum
and maximum
allowed cash-out limit
Electromechanical This set-up function informs the PS whether
meters installed electromechanical meters are installed
or not
Incremental Cash-outSelect whether the incremental cash-out
feature is disabled or
enabled
Bet limits Set-up minimum and maximum bet amounts
Table 2
As is indicated in Figure 3 the player station may enter the
operationallmaintenance
modes 72, 74 upon command by the industrial computer: Without being limiting
the player
station performs the following functions:
(a) provides industrial computer/player station communication;
(b) provides player station/printer communication;
(c) provides player station local controller communication;
(d) provides player station key pad module communication and function;
(e) provides player station/player credit display communication and player
credit
display functions;
(f) provides player station/bill acceptor communication and bill
acceptor function;
(g) provides a watchdog function;
(h) provides a real time clock;
(i) provides lamp drivers;
(j) provides switches and tally meter sense circuits;
(k) provides meter drivers;
(I) provides electronic metering;
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(m) provides player inputs; and
(n) provides data integrity control function.
As has been indicated the present invention is concerned primarily with the
initialisation
and maintenance modes and consequently the preceding aspects, which relate to
the
operational mode, are mentioned only for the sake of completeness and are not
fully
described herein.
When the maintenance switch (78) is activated from within the industrial
computer console
and a valid operator's access code is entered from the key pad module 20
(referred to in
Figure 4 as KPM) the player station is commanded to the maintenance mode 74.
As the
industrial computer is frequently polling each player station the player
station informs the
industrial computer that the maintenance mode has been selected and the
industrial
computer then generates a maintenance mode screen that displays maintenance
and
player station related information.
Figure 4 illustrates various maintenance mode functions. There are four
principal
categories of functions designated 92, 94, 96 and 98 respectively.
In the player station setup selection 92 the setup information contained in
Table 2 is
provided. In addition the capability of remotely updating the player station
application
programme from the industrial computer is available.
In the selection 94 a game supervisor or service operator is allowed to
programme access
codes into the player station. These codes are required, as has been stated,
to allow
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service operators access to the video lottery terminal setup functions to
alter video lotter,~
terminal settings, when required.
In the selection 96 built in test (BIT) functions are provided to enable self-
testing to be
carried out to the greatest extent possible. For example outputs can be looped
back to
inputs to verify functionality. Typically serial communication ports can be
fitted with loop-
back plugs so that the player station micro-controller can test its serial
communication
ports and display the results of the test on the industrial computer display.
Driver outputs
can be tested by installing loop-back or resistive plugs. Off-line diagnostic
tests are
conducted to verify the following aspects of the player station:
(a) all addressable dynamic memory locations;
(b) external interface circuitry;
(c) serial communication controller(s);
(d) programmable memory checksum verification;
(e) backup battery status for data integrity controller (DIC);
(f) status of bill acceptor (BA);
(g) status of printer (when connected);
(i) status of key pad module (KPM);
(j) status of player credit display (PCD);
(k) non-volatile memory; and
(I) . real time clock.
The option 98 is an event log which provides the capability to upload stored
events from
the player station to the industrial computer for review. A function to purge
the player
station event log is also provided but as this is a potentially dangerous
option a special
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password is required at the industrial computer.
Referring again to Figure 2 it is to be noted that in the event of power
failure, during the
operational mode, a backup power/recovery mode 100 is entered. This mode is in
fact
active when power to the video lottery terminal has failed or when the video
lottery terminal
itself has failed. Data recovery is performed through the functions provided
by the data
integrity controller 42 shown in Figure 1. Restoration of power returns the
system to its
normal operation.
A principal benefit of the invention is that it enables all essential aspects
of a player station
to be initialised and diagnosed, either on site or remotely, or on line or off
line. Such
aspects include light switches, bill acceptors, the printer, key pad, hard and
electronic
meters, buttons and the like. Full verification of the status of the player
station may thus
be achieved when required. This objective is reached without the use of
specialised or
external equipment.
