Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
STANDARD PERIPHERAL COMMUNICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is divided from Canadian Patent Application Serial Number
2,320,636, filed September 26, 2000.
This invention relates to gaming peripherals for gaining machines such as slot
machines and video poker machines. More particularly, the present invention
relates
to standard peripheral communication connections between the gaming peripheral
and
the gaming machine.
There are a wide variety of associated devices that can be connected to a
gaming machine such as a slot machine or video poker machine. Some examples of
these devices are lights, ticket printers, card readers, speakers, bill
validators, coin
acceptors, display panels, key pads, and button pads. Many of these devices
are built
into the gaming machine. Often, a number of devices are grouped together in a
separate box that is placed on top of the gaming machine. Devices of this type
are
commonly called a top box.
Typically, the gaming machine controls various combinations of devices. These
devices provide gaming features that augment the features of the gaming
machine.
Further, many devices such as top boxes are designed to be removable from
the gaming machine to provide flexibility in selecting the game features of a
given
gaming machine.
The features of any device are usually controlled by a "master gaming
controller" within the gaming machine. For example, during a game the master
gaming controller might instruct lights to go on and off in various patterns,
instruct a
printer to print a ticket or send information to be displayed on a display
screen. For
the master gaming controller to perform these operations, connections from the
device
are wired directly into some type of electronic board (e.g., a "back plane" or
"mother
board") containing the master gaming controller.
To operate a device, the master gaming controller requires parameters,
operation features and configuration information specific to each peripheral
device.
This information is incorporated into software and stored in some type of
memory
device on the master gaming controller. This device specific software operates
the
features of the device during a game. As an example, to operate a set of
lights, the
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software for the master gaming controller would require information such as
the
number and types of lights, features of the lights, signals that correspond to
each
feature, and the response time of the lights.
One disadvantage of the current operation method for devices controlled by a
master gaming controller is that each time a device is replaced the gaming
machine
must be shutdown. Then, the wires from the device are disconnected from the
master
gaming controller and the master gaming controller is rewired for the new
device. A
device might be replaced to change the game features or to repair a
malfunction
within the device. Similarly, if the circuit board containing the master
gaming
controller or the master gaming controller itself needs repair, then the
wiring from the
all the devices connected to the gaming controller must be removed before the
gaming
controller can be removed. After repair or replacement, the master gaming
controller
must be rewired to all of the devices. This wiring process is time consuming
and can
lead to significant down-time for the gaming machine. Further, the person
performing
the installation requires detailed knowledge of the mechanisms within the
gaming
machine. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a standard
communication
protocol and/or connection system for installing or removing devices and
master
gaming controllers that simplifies this wiring process.
Another disadvantage of the current operation method of devices controlled by
a master gaming controller involves the software for the devices. When a new
device
is installed on a gaming machine, software specific to the device must be
installed on
the master gaming controller. Again, the gaming machine must be shutdown and
the
person performing this installation process requires detailed knowledge of the
gaming
machine and the device. Accordingly, it would be desirable to simplify the
software
installation process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention addresses the needs indicated above by providing a gaming
machine having a plurality of "gaming peripherals," each communicating with a
master gaming controller via a standard peripheral interface such as the USB
(Universal Serial Bus). For some gaming peripherals, the communication between
the
master gaming controller and the gaming peripheral may include various
security
features such as encryption, secure ports, and secure hubs. Further, the
gaming
peripherals of this invention preferably employ a standard peripheral
controller and
one or more specialized "peripheral devices" (e.g., the actual lights, bill
validators,
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ticket printers, etc. that perform the specific functions of the gaming
peripherals).
Much of the hardware associated with the peripheral controller is identical
from one
gaming peripheral to the next. Only a portion of the peripheral controller
hardware is
specific to the different types of gaming peripherals.
One aspect or illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a
gaming machine including a master gaming controller that controls one or more
games played on the gaming machine, and a plurality of gaming peripherals
coupled
to the gaming machine and in communication with the master gaming controller.
Each of the plurality of gaming peripherals includes a standard peripheral
communications connection, which is identical in each gaming peripheral, and
one or
more peripheral devices specific to each gaming peripheral. Each of the
plurality of
gaming peripherals further includes a peripheral controller that controls the
one or
more peripheral devices. Each such peripheral controller includes a control
microprocessor, separate from the master gaming controller, that controls
communication with the master gaming controller over the peripheral
connection,
wherein the control microprocessor is substantially identical in each gaming
peripheral. Each such peripheral controller further includes a peripheral
interface that
directly connects to the one or more peripheral devices and is specific to the
individual gaming peripheral.
In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a motherboard with an
acceptor for the master gaming controller and a hub containing a plurality of
standard
communications ports for connecting to the plurality of gaming peripherals.
The
acceptor is configured to allow the master gaming controller to be removed
from the
motherboard without requiring disconnection of the gaming peripherals from the
hub.
Further, the motherboard is configured to allow additional gaming peripherals
to be
connected to the master gaming controller without requiring that the
motherboard be
rewired.
In preferred embodiments, the gaming machine is a mechanical slot machine,
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CA 02486648 2000-09-26
a video slot machine, a keno game, a lottery game, or a video poker game. One
or
more of the peripheral devices may be selected from the group consisting of
lights,
printers, coin hoppers, bill validators, ticket readers, card readers, key
pads, button
panels, display screens, speakers, information panels, motors, mass storage
devices
and solenoids.
In preferred embodiments, at least one of the standard communications ports is
a secure port, having a level of security exceeding that of other ports on the
hub. The
secure port is secured by one or more doors, locks, sensors, evidence tapes,
or
combinations thereof. Further, the master gaming controller may be configured
to
require that a specified gaming peripheral be connected only through the
secure port.
Also, the gaming machine may include a plurality of hubs, each containing a
plurality
of standard communications ports for connecting to the plurality of gaming
peripherals, where one or more of the hubs is a secure hub, having a level of
security
exceeding that of one or more other hubs. The secure hub is secured by one or
more
doors, locks, sensors, evidence tapes, or combinations thereof Further, the
master
gaming controller is configured to require that specified gaming peripherals
be
connected only through secure hubs.
In one embodiment, the master gaming controller within the gaming machine
includes a memory storing 1) software for a standard device identification
protocol for
at Least some of the gaining peripherals, 2) one more device drivers for at
least some
of the gaming peripherals 3) software for a standard communication protocol
that
allows communication with the gaming peripherals via the standard
communications
connection and 4) software for encrypting, decrypting, or encrypting and
decrypting
communications between the master gaming controller and at least one of the
gaming
peripherals. The master gaming controller is configured to communicate with a
plurality of gaming peripherals connected through hubs with standard
peripheral
communication connections in the form of a daisy chain where at Least one of
the
gaming peripherals is connected to the hub on the mother board connected to
the
master gaming controller. Further, the master gaming controller is configured
to
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communicate high-level instructions that do not specify precise control of the
peripheral devices of one of the gaming peripherals. Following the high-level
instructions, the peripheral controller of at least one gaming peripheral
provides low-
level instructions precisely controlling the operation of its peripheral
devices.
In preferred embodiments, the peripheral controller includes a non-volatile
memory arranged to store at least one of a) configuration parameters specific
to the
individual gaming peripheral and b) state history information of the
peripheral.
Further, the peripheral controller may include a power converter arranged to
convert
the voltage coming from the gaming machine to voltages used by the gaming
peripheral. Also, the gaming peripheral may include a communications hub
including
the standard peripheral communications connection for communicating with the
master gaming controller and a plurality of standard communications ports for
connecting to the plurality of devices within the peripheral.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method for controlling operation of
a plurality of gaming peripherals connected to a gaming machine, each gaming
peripheral comprising i) a peripheral controller, ii) one or more peripheral
devices and
iii) a standard peripheral communications connection for connecting the
peripheral
controller to a master gaming controller wherein the peripheral controller
includes a
control microprocessor for controlling communication with the master gaming
controller over the standard peripheral communications connection the method
comprising:
sending a high level instruction for controlling a first gaming peripheral in
the
plurality of gaming peripherals from the master gaming controller to a
peripheral
controller in the first gaming peripheral via the standard peripheral
communications
connection, wherein the high level instruction does not precisely specify how
the
gaming peripheral must perform low level operations associated with the high
level
instruction;
converting the high level instruction to one or more low level operating
instructions for controlling the operation of the one or more peripheral
devices
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provided with the gaming peripheral using the control microprocessor in the
first
gaming peripheral; and
controlling operation of the one or more peripheral devices with
the low level operating instructions,
wherein each controller microprocessor is substantially identical in each
gaming peripheral of the plurality of gaming peripherals.
In one embodiment, to send instructions, the master gaming controller a)
confirms that the gaining peripheral is communicating with the master gaming
controller, b) sends instructions to configure the gaming peripheral via the
standard
peripheral connection, c) prior to sending the high level instruction,
identifies the
features of a peripheral device using a standard device identification
protocol, d) prior
to sending the high level instruction, loads or initializes a device driver
for the
peripheral device at the master gaming controller, e) determines when the
master
gaming controller has no device driver precisely matching the gaming
peripheral and
attempts to identify an available device driver that meets at least some
requirements
for controlling the gaming peripheral and 0 determines when the gaming
peripheral
has been disconnected or is no longer communicating with the master gaming
controller and removes the device driver.
The master gaining controller communicates with one or more peripheral
devices selected from the group consisting of lights, printers, coin counters,
bill
validators, ticket readers, card readers, key pads, button panels, display
screens,
speakers, information panels, motors, mass storage devices and solenoids.
After
receiving instructions, the gaming peripheral i) sends a keep alive message to
the
master gaming controller, where the keep alive message specifies a current
operation
that is being executed by the gaming peripheral and ii) stores in non-volatile
memory
state history information in the gaming peripheral where the state history
information
specifies a recent operating state of the gaming peripheral iii) transmits the
stored
state history information to the master gaming controller.
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These and other features of the present invention will be presented in more
detail in the following detailed description of the invention and the
associated figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a gaming machine having a top box and
other devices.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a gaming peripheral and its connection to
a master gaming controller
FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a more detailed example of a gaming
peripheral in accordance with this invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting the gaining peripheral power-up and
communication process with the master gaming controller.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the post power-up communication phase
between the gaming peripheral and master gaining controller.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting the details of a general communication
process of a peripheral device via a standard peripheral interface as
presented in Fig.
5.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting the details of a general event transaction
as
presented in Fig. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning first to FIG 1, a video gaming machine 2 of the present invention is
shown. Machine 2 includes a main cabinet 4, which generally surrounds the
machine
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CA 02486648 2000-09-26
interior (not shown) and is viewable by users. The main cabinet includes a
main door
8 on the front of the machine, which opens to provide access to the interior
of the
machine. Typically, the main door 8 and/or any other portals which provide
access to
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the interior of the machine utilize a locking mechanism of some sort as a
security
feature to limit access to the interior of the gaming machine. Attached to the
main
door are player-input switches 32, a coin acceptor 28, and a bill validator
30, a coin
tray 38, a belly glass 40, and a monitor mask 42. Viewable through the main
door is a
video display monitor 34 and an information panel 36. The display monitor 34
will
typically be a cathode ray tube, high resolution flat-panel LCD, or other
conventional
electronically controlled video monitor. The information panel 36 is a back-
lit, silk
screened glass panel with lettering to indicate general game information
including, for
example, the number of coins played. The bill validator 30, player-input
switches 32,
video display monitor 34, and information panel are devices used to play a
game on
the game machine 2. The devices are controlled by circuitry (not shown) housed
inside the main cabinet 4 of the machine 2. Many possible games, including
traditional slot games, video slot games, video poker, keno, and lottery, may
be
provided with gaming machines of this invention.
The gaming machine 2 includes a top box 6, which sits on top of the main
cabinet 4. The top box 6 houses a number of devices including speakers 10, 12,
14, a
glass panel with display lamps 16, a ticket printer 18 which prints bar-coded
tickets
20, a key pad 22 for entering player tracking information, a florescent
display 24 for
displaying player tracking information, and a card reader 26 for entering a
magnetic
striped card containing player tracking information. The top box 6 may house
different or additional devices than shown in the FIGs. 1 and 2. The devices
housed in
the top box 6 add features to a game played on the machine 2. During a game,
these
devices are controlled, in part, by circuitry (not shown) housed within the
main
cabinet 4 of the machine 2. Peripheral control circuitry in top box 6 also
provides
some control functions for the top box devices. The top box 6 is designed to
be
removable from the machine 2. Typically, the top box 6 is replaced to repair a
device
within the top box 6 or to install a new top box 6 with a different set of
devices.
When a user wishes to play the gaming machine 2, he or she inserts cash
through the coin acceptor 28 or bill validator 30. At the start of the game,
the player
may enter playing tracking information using the card reader 26, the keypad
22, and
the florescent display 26. During the game, the player views game information
using
the video display 34. Usually, during the course of a game, a player is
required to
make a number of decisions, which affect the outcome of the game. The player
makes
these choices using the player-input switches 32. During certain game events,
the
gaming machine 2 may display visual and auditory effects that can be perceived
by
the player. These effects add to the excitement of a game, which makes a
player more
likely to continue playing. Auditory effects include various sounds that are
projected
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by the speakers 10, 12, 14. Visual effects include flashing lights, strobing
lights or
other patterns displayed from lights on the gaming machine 2 including lights
behind
the front glass 16 on the top box 6 or from lights behind the belly glass 40.
After the
player has completed a game, the player may receive game tokens from the coin
tray
38 or the ticket 20 from the printer 18, which may be used for further games.
Further,
the player may receive a ticket 20 for food, merchandise, or games from the
printer
18.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a gaming peripheral and its connection to
a master gaming controller. The master gaming controller 200 shown in Fig. 2
is
housed within the main cabinet 4 of the gaming machine 2 shown in Fig. 1. The
master gaming controller 200 controls one or more games played on the gaming
machine 2. Typically, the master gaming controller is connected to a
motherboard or
"back plane" 202, which is attached to the back of the main cabinet 4 of the
gaming
machine 2. The back plane 202 may include an acceptor (not shown) for
mechanically
engaging or latching to the master gaming controller 200 and a root expansion
hub
206 containing one or more standard communications ports 208. The standard
communication ports 208 are used to connect to other devices containing
standard
communication ports.
The standard communication ports 208, root expansion hub 206, hub 210 and
hub 230 and the connections to the devices comprise a communication system
that
allows the master gaming controller 200 to communicate with devices connected
to
this system. The devices and the connections shown in the figure are only one
embodiment of the present invention. Typically, a device is not required to be
plugged
into a particular port. Examples of devices, which might be connected to a
root
expansion hub 206 with standard communication ports 208 on a mother board 202
with a master gaming controller 200, include fiber optic conversion 204, a
remote hub
210, a coin acceptor 216, a bill validator and a gaming peripheral 228. These
devices
may be housed within the main cabinet 4 of the gaming machine 2 or may reside
outside of the main cabinet 4. Other examples of devices which might
incorporate a
standard communication port 208 that communicate with the master gaming
controller 200, include the coin hopper 212, the bill validator 214, the coin
acceptor
216, the button panel 218, the light array 236, the printer 238, the card
reader 240, the
camera 242, in FIG. 2 and the speaker 10 which is part of an audio system, the
display
screen 34, the information panel 36, the key pad 22 in FIG. 1. These devices
might be
connected directly to the mother board 202 containing the root expansion hub
206
using one or more of the standard communication ports 208 or through one or
more
devices containing standard communication ports, which are connected to the
root
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expansion hub 206 on the mother board 202. For example, the coin hopper 212 is
connected to a standard communication port 222 on the bill validator 214. The
bill
validator 214 is connected to the root expansion hub 206 on the motherboard
202
containing the master gaming controller 200. As another example, the camera
242 is
connected to the hub 230 on the gaming peripheral 228, which is connected to
the
root expansion hub 206 on the mother board 202.
The root expansion hub 206, which is integrated into the back plane 202,
provides breakout connections for devices within the gaming cabinet without
requiring additional hardware or non-integrated communication port expansion
including the remote hub 210 or the hub 230. Typically, the connections to the
root
expansion hub 206 are from a connection to a root port within the circuitry of
the
master gaming controller 200 (i.e., the root port provided by circuitry
incorporated
into the master gaming controller 200). When the root expansion hub is
connected to
a root port on the master gaming controller 200, the root expansion hub 206
may be
provided with a higher level of security than the other remote hubs including
the hubs
210 and 230. In general, any hub can be provided with more or less security
than
other hubs in the gaming machine. The security for the hub may be provided by
limiting access to the interior of the gaming machine using one or more doors
with
mechanical and/or electrical locking mechanisms. These locks may be monitored
by
the master gaming controller 200 using sensor devices including electric
switches.
Further, the ports 208 and 224 within the root expansion hub may have
additional
security features. For example, access to the ports may be limited using an
electronic
key or covers with mechanical locks which prevent access. Further, devices
connected
to these ports may be locked down to prevent the disconnection of a device.
Further,
electronic or mechanical sensors including evidence tape may be used on a
particular
port to determine whether a port has been accessed or not. One or more of
these
security features as well as other security features may be used to secure
specific ports
on the root expansion hub 206 or any other ports used to connect devices.
Using the standard communication ports 208 and the root expansion hub 206,
the master gaming controller 200 may be removed from the acceptor on the
mother
board which is attached to the back plane 202 without disconnecting or
rewiring any
of the devices connected to the standard communication ports 208. Also,
additional
devices may be connected to the root expansion hub 206 on the motherboard 202
without rewiring the motherboard 202 and master gaming controller 200. For
example, when the remote hub 210 is disconnected from one of the communication
ports 208 on the root expansion hub 206 and replaced with a connection to
another
device, including but not limited to a camera 242, the coin hopper 212, the
bill
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CA 02486648 2000-09-26
validator 214, or the coin acceptor 216, then the mother board 202 and the
master
gaming controller 200 would not need to be rewired.
Also, the standard communication ports in the root expansion hub 206, the
hub 210, and the 230 may not accept connections to all types of devices to
provide
additional security. For example, the level of security on the standard
communication
port 224 might be higher than the other standard communication ports 208 on
the root
expansion hub 206. Thus, the standard communication port 224 on the root
expansion
hub 206 might accept connections only from devices requiring a higher level of
security including but not limited to the bill validator 214, the coin
acceptor 216, and
the gaming peripheral 228. In this example, the master gaming controller 200
would
not recognize input from the bill validator 214, the coin acceptor 216 or the
gaming
peripheral unless these devices were connected through a standard
communication
port with a higher level of security including 224. This security may be
provided by
mechanical, electronic or software means or combinations thereof. For example,
port
224 may be housed within a secure locking enclosure to ensure that no one can
connect or disconnect through that port without having the necessary key. As
another
example, the master gaming controller includes a temporary port or hub 201.
Usually,
this port 201 is used for an electronic key and is used for diagnostics and
other secure
operations on the master gaming controller. During operation of the gaming
machine,
a device is not typically connected through this port. Secure ports and data
encryption
help to meet the necessary security requirements for a gaming machine.
During the operation of the gaming machine 2, the master gaming controller
200 communicates with devices connected through the system of standard
communication ports and connections. The master gaming controller 200 includes
a
memory storing software for executing a standard communication protocol that
allows communication with the various devices using the standard communication
connections. This communication protocol may include encryption capability for
communicating with one or more devices. The master gami.ng controller 200
communicates with devices to obtain information about a device including
whether it
is operating properly or whether it is still connected. In FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and
7, this
communication process is described in detail.
During a game, the master gaming controller 200 controls devices. Using the
standard communication connections and the standard communication protocol,
the
master gaming controller 200 may send instructions to a device to perform a
specific
operation. These instructions may be in the form of low-level or high-level
instructions. The master gaming controller 200 sends low-level instructions to
devices
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
that it directly controls. Examples of low-level instructions might include
turning on a
specific light, turning off a specific light, starting a motor, or stopping a
motor. The
master gaming controller may send high-level instructions to the gaming
peripheral
228. A gaming periphera1228 is a device that contains, for example, a hub 230
with
standard communication connections, a peripheral controller 234, and
connections to
one or more peripheral devices. Typically, the peripheral controller controls
one or
more peripheral devices. Also, when the communication connections and the
standard
communication protocol are used, the peripheral controller 234 enables
communication between the master gaming controller 200 and one or more
peripheral
devices. Examples of some peripheral devices, which might be included as part
of
gaming peripheral 228, are the lights 236, printer 238, smart card reader 240,
the bill
validator 214, the coin acceptor 216, the button panel 218, in FIG. 2 and the
speaker
10, the video display screen 34, the key pad 22, and the florescent display 24
in FIG.
1. The peripheral controller 234 controls the peripheral devices connected to
the
peripheral controller 234 including the lights 236, the printer 238, and the
smart card
reader 240. When the master gaming controller 200 sends the high-level
instruction to
the gaming periphera1228 requesting an operation from a peripheral device
controlled
by the peripheral controller 234, the peripheral controller 234 receives a
high-level
instruction and converts it to the low-level instructions specific to the
operation
requested from the master gaming controller 200. For example, the master
gaming
controller 200 might send a high-level instruction to the gaming peripheral
228 to
"strobe" its lights 236. The peripheral controller 234 would receive this high-
level
instruction and send out a series of low-level instructions to the lights 236
including
instructions to turn on and off specific lights at specified intervals. As
another
example, the master gaming controller might send an instruction to the gaming
peripheral 228 to "print a coupon", the peripheral controller 234 would
receive this
high-level instruction and convert it to a series of low-level instructions
for the printer
238 including start motor, print string, advance to new line, advance paper,
stop
motor. The high-level instruction set that allows the master gaming controller
200 to
operate a peripheral device on a gaming peripheral 228 with a peripheral
controller
234 is stored as device driver software on a memory device on the master
gaming
controller 200.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a more detailed example of a gaming
peripheral in accordance with this invention. The master gaming controller 200
is
connected to the hub 230, which includes standard communication connections on
the
garning peripheral. The peripheral controller 234 is connected to the hub 230
using a
peripheral connection 300. The peripheral connection 300 is connected to a
transient
and surge protector 304. The transient and surge protector 304 protects the
peripheral
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controller from signals arriving on the peripheral connections, which might
damage a
control microprocessor 312.
Power from the master gaming controller 200 is transmitted to a power
conversion unit 302. The power conversion unit 302 converts the voltage
arriving
from the master gaming controller 200 to voltages needed for the control
microprocessor 312 of the peripheral controller 234 or any of the peripheral
devices
connected to the peripheral controller 234 including but not limited to the
motor 320,
the lights 322 or the printer 324. The peripheral devices may also receive
power
directly from the power supply unit (not shown) with or without using the
power
conversion unit 302. The power supply unit is usually contained within the
main
cabinet of the gaming machine.
Hardware needed to connect the peripheral controller 234 to a specific
peripheral device is located in the peripheral interface 318. At least one or
more
peripheral devices are connected to the peripheral interface 318. These
peripheral
devices may include the motor 320, the lights 322, the printer 324, card
readers, key
pads, button panels, information panels, display screens, bill validators, and
coin
acceptors. The configuration of the peripheral controller 234, which includes
information about the types of peripheral devices controlled by the peripheral
controller 234, is stored in a non-volatile memory 316. When the peripheral
devices
on a gaming peripheral are changed, the non-volatile memory 316 can be
replaced or
reprogrammed to incorporate the new configuration.
The peripheral controller contains a control microprocessor 312 that controls
communication with the master gaming controller 200. Further, the control
microprocessor 312 converts high-level instructions from the master gaming
controller 200 requesting specific operations from the peripheral devices
controlled by
the peripheral controller 234 to low-level instructions needed to perform the
operation. In one embodiment, the control microprocessor 312 includes a fixed
memory 310, a volatile memory 308, a timer 314, a fail-safe 315, and a master
controller communication 306. In other embodiments, either the fixed memory
310 or
the volatile memory 308 or both may be located outside of the control
microprocessor.
The volatile memory 308 and fixed memory 310 may be upgraded using the
volatile memory expansion 309 and the fixed memory expansion 311. The fixed
memory expansion 311 might be in the form of an EPROM or flash memory. When
flash memory is used, it may be possible to field upgrade the operating code
of the
peripheral controller. The volatile memory expansion 309 might be in the form
of
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static RAM, which uses a long-life battery to protect the memory contents when
power is removed.
In a preferred embodiment, each gaming peripheral containing a peripheral
controller 234 contains an essentially identical control microprocessor 312.
In such
modular designs, the power conversion circuitry 302 and surge/transient
protector
circuitry will also be essentially identical from peripheral to peripheral.
The only
distinctions between peripheral controllers in individual peripherals will
reside in the
peripheral interface 318 and the information stored in non-volatile memory
316. This
allows for rapid design and reduced maintenance of gaming machine peripherals.
Within the control microprocessor 312, the master controller communication
306 controls the communication between the peripheral controller 234 and the
master
gaming controller 200. The control microprocessor may be an off-the-shelf
device
including an Infineon Technologies C541U family of microcontrollers. The
master
controller communication 306 performs the communication using a standard
communication protocol. Essentially, it implements the protocol associated
with a
standard communications protocol such as USB, IEEE1394, or the like. The timer
314 sends signals to the control microprocessor 312, which controls execution
of
code. The fail-safe 315 contains code, which is independent of the code in the
control
microprocessor 312. When code within the control microprocessor 312 is lost or
malfunctions, the fail safe 315 will reset the entire gaming peripheral. As an
example,
the fail safe 315 might expect a message from the control microprocessor 312,
which
includes "do not reset." When the fail safe 315 receives this message, the
fail safe 315
will wait a specified interval for the next "do not reset" message. When the
fail safe
315 does not receive a message including "do not reset" after a specified
interval, the
fail safe 315 resets the gaming peripheral.
The fixed memory 310 is a read only memory, which is not lost when the
control microprocessor 312 loses power. The fixed memory 310 stores general
code
that the control microprocessor 312 uses while operating. The code stored in
the fixed
memory 310 may be identical in every peripheral controller 234. To control a
specific
peripheral device, the control microprocessor 312 uses code stored in the
fixed
memory 310 in conjunction with peripheral device specific information stored
in the
non-volatile memory 316. The volatile memory 308 stores code, parameters, data
from the peripheral devices and data from the master gaming controller 200
that the
control microprocessor 312 needs to operate. The data in volatile memory 308
is lost
when the control microprocessor 312 loses power. Critical infonnation
including the
current state of peripheral devices is stored in the non-volatile memory 316.
The non-
13
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volatile memory might be an EEPROM, flash card memory or a battery powered
RAM. In the event of a power failure or some other malfunction, the
information in
non-volatile memory 316 is used to restore the gaming peripheral to its state
before
the malfunction occurred. For example, when a player enters cash into the
gaming
machine 2, this information can be stored in non-volatile memory 316 on the
peripheral controller 234. After this information is stored in non-volatile
memory, it
will be available to determine the state of the machine 2 when any subsequent
malfunctions occur.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting an example of the gaming peripheral
power-up and communication process with the master gaming controller. This
process is described for one gaming peripheral. For a plurality of gaming
peripherals,
this process is implemented for each gaming peripheral. When a gaming
peripheral
loses power, which may include an accidental power loss or planned maintenance
for
the gaming peripheral, the process in Fig. 4 is usually followed. When a
gaming
peripheral first receives power, the standard control microprocessor, as an
example
see 312 in FIG. 3, executes self-diagnostics to confirm the peripheral is
operating
properly in block 400. The control microprocessor will load software stored in
its
fixed memory. With this software the control microprocessor will execute a
series of
self-diagnostics to determine that its various components are operating
properly.
These tests may include testing the processor, timer, fail safe and master
communication controller functions of the control microprocessor.
After the control microprocessor completes its self-diagnostics in block 400,
the gaming peripheral's configuration and state history is loaded into the
control
microprocessor's volatile memory from non-volatile memory outside of the
control
microprocessor in block 410. The non-volatile memory stores information about
the
peripheral devices that are connected to the control microprocessor through
the
peripheral interface. This information tells the standard control
microprocessor what
type of gaming peripheral it is controlling. The control microprocessor loads
the
information stored in the non-volatile memory and loads code stored in the
control
microprocessor's fixed memory into volatile memory on the control
microprocessor
to operate the peripheral devices. In FIG. 3, the control microprocessor 312,
the
volatile memory 308, the fixed memory 310, the non-volatile memory 316, and
the
peripheral interface 318 are one possible embodiment of the hardware needed to
implement the process in block 410. One possible example of configuration
information, which might be stored in non-volatile memory, is information
describing
a light panel connected to the gaming peripheral. The non-volatile memory
might
store information including the type of light panel, the number of lights, the
response
14
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time of the lights, the signal needed to turn the light on, the signal needed
to turn the
light off, the communication rate and the communication buffer size for the
light. As
another example, the non-volatile memory might store configuration information
for a
motor connected to the gaming peripheral, this information might include the
type of
motor, the signal needed to turn the motor on, the signal needed to turn the
motor off,
the response time of the motor, the communication buffer size and the
communication
rate for the motor.
In block 410, the control microprocessor loads the state history of the gaming
peripheral from the non-volatile memory. The state history includes game
information
that describes states of the peripheral devices of a gaming peripheral that
occur while
a game is being played on a gaming machine. For example, state information
stored in
the non-volatile memory might include the amount of cash a player has entered
into
the machine, each step of the game, the choices a player has made during the
game,
the position of reels or the status of lights. When a gaming machine loses
power or
malfunctions during a game, the information stored in the non-volatile memory
is
used to restore the gaming machine to the state in the game that occurred just
before
the power loss or malfunction. In general, when a gaming machine is being
powered-
up, the gaming peripheral will initialize itself to a pre-determined "safe"
state until the
master controller connects to it. When communication is established between
the
gaming peripheral and master gaming controller, the control microprocessor may
attempt to transfer relevant state history information it has retrieved from
its non-
volatile memory to the master gaming controller.
In block 420, after self-diagnostics and initializing itself to some state,
the
peripheral controller may test the peripheral devices that it controls. This
step is
optional. Examples of some tests the peripheral controller might execute
include
tuming lights on and off on a light panel, printing a test ticket from a
printer,
displaying a test pattern on a video display screen, or projecting a sound
pattern from
a speaker.
In block 430, the peripheral controller establishes communication between the
gaming peripheral and the master gaming controller. Using the standard
communication connections and the standard communication protocol, the
peripheral
controller establishes communication with the master gaming controller. One
embodiment of the hardware needed for this communication process between the
peripheral controller and the master gaming controller is shown in FIG. 3. One
example of the initial communication sequence and data exchange between the
peripheral controller and master gaming controller can be represented as a
series of
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
high-level questions. A typical sequence to establish communication might
proceed as
a message from the master gaming controller including "is anyone there?" The
peripheral controller might respond, "yes" and the master gaming controller
might
ask, "Nvhat type of device are you?" Then, the peripheral controller might
respond, "I
am a gaming peripheral of some type." To this question, the master gaming
controller
might respond, "what is your communication rate and buffer size?" The
peripheral
controller would send this information to the master gaming controller and the
devices would continue to communicate. The questions described above are
representative of the type of information that is passed between devices using
a
standard conununication protocol. The actual information passed by the devices
corresponding to the questions will be specific to the particular protocol.
There are many different standard communication protocols including USB or
IEEE1394, and the like. Each of these protocols utilizes a standard
communication
sequence. But, the standard communication sequence may vary depending on the
type
of protocol that is used. When the master gaming controller is using a USB
protocol
to communication over the standard communication, the following information or
a
portion of this information might be exchanged between the master gaming
controller
and peripheral controller: 1) release specification number, 2) device class,
3) subclass
(e.g. version) 4) device communication protocol and revision, 5) Maximum
receive
and send packet sizes, 6) vendor identification, 7) product identification, 8)
device
release number, 9) manufacturer string, 10) product string, 11) device
descriptor, 12)
device protocol, 13) serial number, and 14) number of configuration
interfaces. The
USB standard is widely-known and described in various references such as USB
Hardware and Software, John Gamey, Ed Solari Shelagh Callahan, Kosar Jaff,
Brad
Hosler, published by Annabooks 11838 Bernado Plaza Court, San Diego, CA,
92128,
copyright 1998, ISBN 0-929392-37-X, which is incorporated herein by reference
for
all purposes.
After establishing communication with the gaming peripheral, the master
gaming controller queries the gaming peripheral for peripheral devices. This
process
is called the device enumeration sequence in block 440. One or more peripheral
devices attached to the gaming peripheral may communicate with the master
gaming
controller or may be controlled by the master gaming controller during the
course of a
game. In this step, the master gaming controller requests device information
from the
peripheral controller. Again, the information exchange between the master
gaming
controller and peripheral controller can be represented as a series of high-
level
questions. The format of the information exchange may vary depending on the
communication protocol being used. As an example, the first question from the
16
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
master gaming controller to the peripheral controller might be "do you have
any
devices?" When the gaming peripheral replies "yes", the master gaming
controller
might ask "what is the device?" The peripheral controller will then send
information
to the master gaming controller, in some format or protocol established before
the
communication process began, as to the type of peripheral device. This device
identification protocol is distinct from the communication protocol.
For certain devices requiring a higher level of security including but not
limited to bill validators and coin acceptors, the master gaming controller
might
determine which port it is using. Using the device identification protocol and
the port
information, the master gaming controller may or may not communicate with the
gaming peripheral. It may issue an error message and prevent further operation
if the
device is not using a required port. As a specific example, the master gaming
controller may require that an electronic key (e.g., a software dongle) be
inserted into
to a port prior to operation of that port (as a security measure). When a
peripheral
device is subsequently connected into the port where an electronic key has
been used,
the master gaming controller may only communicate with certain types of
devices that
are allowed access into this port based on the information provided by the
electronic
key.
In block 450, the master gaming controller initializes one or more selected
device drivers for the peripheral device identified in block 440. Using a
device
identification number or some other system for identifying the peripheral
device, the
master gaming controller selects a software device driver, which will operate
the
features of the peripheral device enumerated in block 440. The master gaming
controller first searches for a software driver, which exactly corresponds to
the
peripheral device. When the master gaming controller can not locate a software
driver
who exactly corresponds to the peripheral device, the master gaming controller
may
search for a similar software driver that might operate all or some of the
features of
the peripheral device. Examples of peripheral devices which might be operated
by a
master gaming controller using a software driver include lights, printers,
video display
screens, coin counters, coin acceptors, bill validators, ticket readers,
keypads, motors,
and card readers. After choosing a software driver, the master gaming
controller
makes the software available for use. Usually, this is done by loading the
software
into memory. When a software driver can not be located for a particular
peripheral
device, the master gaming controller does not operate this device during the
game.
When the peripheral device without a software driver is critical for operation
of the
gaming machine, the master gaming controller may generate an error message.
17
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
In block 440, to select the software driver, the master gaming controller may
use a device identification protocol. As an example, the device identification
protocol
might include a series of numbers which correspond to a specific peripheral
device.
As an example, combinations of the device class, manufacturer, device protocol
and
serial number information from a particular device might be used. From these
numbers, the master gaming controller would be able identify the type of the
peripheral device and its features. Related peripheral devices with similar
features
might have similar numbers. For example, two versions of a peripheral device,
device
A and device B might share in common one or more numbers including 11112 to
denote device A and 11113 to denote device B. This is similar to the concept
of an
address mask in network technology. This selection process may vary depending
on
the peripheral's manufacturer and the driver implementation.
In block 460, the master gaming controller determines whether the device
enumeration sequence is completed. When more devices need to be enumerated,
the
master gaming controller returns to block 440. In block 460, the master gaming
controller might determine whether more devices need to be enumerated by
querying
the peripheral controller or the master gaming controller might know the
number of
peripheral devices connected to the gaming peripheral by its type. The type of
the
gaming peripheral was identified when communication was established in block
430.
In block 470, when the enumeration process is completed for all the peripheral
devices connected to a peripheral controller, the master gaming controller may
look
for additional peripheral devices connected to other peripheral controllers to
enumerate and return to block 440. When all of the peripheral devices
connected to
all the peripheral controllers are enumerated, the process shown in FIG. 4 is
complete.
One advantage of the enumeration and device driver initialization process in
blocks 440, 450, 460 is that enumeration may occur at any time while the
machine is
running. For example, when lights connected to the gaming peripheral are not
functioning, the lights could be removed from the gaming peripheral for repair
and
replaced with a new set of lights while the gaming machine is running ing and
the master
gaming controller might unenumerate the old lights and then enumerate the new
lights. Potentially, the power-up and communication process in FIG.4 might be
carried out by the master gaming controller without intervention by an
attendant or
other maintenance person.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the post power-up communication phase
between the gaming peripheral and master gaming controller. In this figure,
some of
the possible communication and operational processes that occur between the
master
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gaming controller and the gaming peripheral during the post power-up
operational
phase of the gaming machine are described. Some events that might occur during
this
phase include operating the gaming peripheral during the course of a game,
operating
the gaming peripheral between games, and operating the gaming peripheral
during
maintenance.
In block 505, communication with a peripheral device via a standard
peripheral interface occurs. In one possible embodiment, this step may be
initiated
when the master gaming controller requests an operation or information from
one of
the peripheral devices comprising the gaming peripheral. In a preferred
embodiment,
the peripheral controller receives this message as a high level instruction
and converts
the instruction to one of more low-level instructions needed to operate or
communicate with the peripheral device. The details of this step are described
in Fig.
6. The low-level instructions from the peripheral controller are sent to the
peripheral
device via the peripheral interface. The peripheral device receives the
instructions and
performs the requested operation. As an example, a light panel might tum on a
specific light or turn its lights on in a specific pattern including strobing
or flashing.
After performing the operation, the peripheral device may signal to the
peripheral
controller that the operation has been completed. In another step, the
peripheral
controller may verify to the master gaming controller that the requested
operation was
performed. In another possible embodiment, this step may be initiated when a
peripheral device on the gaming peripheral is utilized. For example, a player
wishing
to start a game might insert a player-tracking card into a card reader
connected to the
gaming peripheral. In this example, the card reader might send a message to
the
peripheral controller that a card has been inserted. Then, in another step,
this message
might be relayed to the master gaming controller in some format and a series
of
communication events between the gaming peripheral and master gaming
controller
might commence. This type of process where the communication sequence starts
in
the peripheral device might be occur for a number of different peripheral
devices
connected to the gaming peripheral including card readers, ticket readers,
coin
acceptors, bill validators, key pads, and button panels.
During the communication process in 505, a number of possible steps were
identified where the peripheral controller might send information to the
master
gaming controller regarding the operation of a specific peripheral device.
This
communication step is called process event in block 510. The details of this
process
are described later in FIG. 7. When processing an event, critical information
from a
peripheral device, including but not limited to a coin being accepted by a
coin
acceptor, a ticket being read by a ticket reader, or a bill validator
accepting a bill, is
19
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
transmitted between the gaming peripheral and master gaming controller so that
the
information is preserved in the event of a power failure or malfunction during
operation of the gaming machine. The communication step in block 510 requires
that
the peripheral controller and master gaming controller are communicating
properly. In
block 508, the communication between the master gaming controller and
peripheral
controller is checked. When normal communication between the master gaming
controller and peripheral controller is verified, the event is processed in
block 510.
When the transaction in block 510 has been processed successfully, the
communication between the peripheral controller and master gaming controller
continues starting in block 505.
When a communication problem has been identified between the master
gaming controller and peripheral controller, the process branches to block
515.
During operation of the gaming machine in block 515, the master gaming
controller
may send signals to one or more of the peripheral devices connected to the
peripheral
controller to determine whether the peripheral device is still connected. For
communication purposes, the master gaming controller views the peripheral
controller
and the peripheral device as one entity. When the peripheral controller is
disconnected
from the master gaming controller, the peripheral devices connected to the
peripheral
controller through the peripheral interface are no longer able to communicate
with the
master gaming controller and the master gaming controller might assume all the
peripheral devices were disconnected. When a peripheral device is disconnected
or no
longer communicating with the peripheral controller, the peripheral
controller, which
is still able to communicate with the master gaming controller, might detect
the
disconnect and could send a message to the master gaming controller that the
peripheral device is no longer communicating or connected to the peripheral
controller. For example, a peripheral device may be accidentally disconnected
from
the peripheral controller as a result of faulty wiring between the peripheral
controller
and the peripheral device might cause a disconnection. In another example, a
peripheral device might be intentionally disconnected from the gaming
peripheral and
peripheral controller for maintenance of the peripheral device. Further, in
another
example, the peripheral device might be disconnected from the gaming
peripheral and
peripheral controller and reconnected with another peripheral device to tamper
with
the gaming machine. In each of the cases, the master gaming controller is
designed to
detect the disconnection of the peripheral device. As an example, the USB
communication protocol addresses this issue with the design of the
communication
bus and wiring. The peripheral controllers may assist in detecting disconnects
whenever possible.
CA 02486648 2000-09-26
The communication between the peripheral controller and the master gaming
controller may use "keep alive" messages which are regularly . sent_ _to the
master
gaming controller at specified intervals. When the master gaming controller
does not
receive this message after a specified interval, it may put the gaming machine
or
gaming peripheral into an error-checking mode. Also, when the peripheral
controller
believes that a peripheral device has been disconnected, the gaming peripheral
may be
placed into an error-checking mode by the peripheral controller.
In block 520, the master gaming controller may send a message to the
peripheral device at specified intervals asking whether it is operating
properly or the
peripheral device may send a message to the master gaming controller at
specified
intervals affirming it is operating properly. The message may be in response
to a
request by the master gaming controller to perform a specific operation. For
example,
when the master gaming controller sends a message to a light panel to strobe
its lights
which is interpreted by the peripheral controller and sent to the light panel,
the light
panel might send a message back to the peripheral controller verifying that it
is
strobing its lights. As another example, the light panel or any other
peripheral device
may send regular messages to peripheral controller including "ready",
"operational"
or "performing operation". In the event the peripheral controller stops
receiving these
messages or similar messages, the peripheral controller may decide that the
peripheral
device is not responding properly and place the gaming peripheral into an
error
checking mode. Further, the peripheral controller may relay this message to
the
master gaming controller, which may place the gaming peripheral or gaming
machine
into an error-checking mode. When the peripheral is connected and responding
properly, the peripheral controller loops back to block 505 for the next
communication event
In block 525, when the peripheral controller or master gaming controller
determines that a peripheral device may have been disconnected or that a
peripheral
device may be responding improperly, a decision is made as to the type of
error and
response. In block 530, when the peripheral controller or master gaming
controller
determines that a "critical error" has occurred, the peripheral controller or
master
gaming controller will log the error and request attendant. An attendant might
be
requested by lighting a light on the gaming machine or a message might be sent
to a
remote location requesting some response. A "critical error" is an event that
requires
external intervention for the machine to clear the error. For example, errors
resulting
from possible tampering with the gaming machine might result in a critical
error. In
block 535, when a non-critical error occurs, the peripheral controller or
master
gaming controller determines whether the error is the result of a planned
disconnect.
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In block 540, when a peripheral device is being removed as the result of a
planned disconnect (e.g. planned maintenance), the master gaming controller
will
unenumerate the peripheral device and adjust its operation to reflect the
device being
removed. The unenumeration of the peripheral device might proceed in the
reverse of
the enumeration process described in Fig. 4. In the unenumeration process, the
master
gaming controller would unload the device driver for the disconnected
peripheral
device and stop communication attempts with the device. Depending on the
peripheral device, the gaming machine might continue operating with the
peripheral
device disconnected. For example, when a light panel is disconnected from the
gaming peripheral for repair, the gaming machine might continue operation
without
the light panel. The ability to unenumerate a device and keep operating is
advantageous when the peripheral device can not be immediately repaired or
replaced.
In block 545, in the event of a non-critical error that is not the result of a
planned disconnect, the peripheral controller or master gaming controller may
attempt
to ignore, reset or reinitialize the peripheral, depending on the exact nature
of the
critical error. Further, the peripheral controller or master gaming controller
may log
this error in some type of event log. For example, in the process of printing
a ticket,
the printer may malfunction. When the printer malfunction is deemed a minor
error,
the peripheral controller or master gaming controller might reset the printer
in block
545 and then start the communication process again in block 505 in attempt to
print
the ticket again. In another possible example, the master gaming controller
might
ignore the minor error and again request the operation from the device.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting some details of the communication with a
peripheral device via a standard peripheral interface in block 505 in Fig. 5.
In the
power-up phase described in Fig. 4, the master gaming controller establishes
communication with the gaming peripheral and selects software drivers for the
peripheral devices the master gaming controller can operate. In block 600, the
master
gaming controller may use the software driver to send the peripheral
controller a high-
level instruction that requests the operation of a specific feature of the
peripheral
device. This high-level instruction is sent using the standard communication
connection hardware and the standard communication protocol. A possible
hardware
embodiment of this process was shown in Fig. 2. For a light panel, examples of
a
potential high-level instructions might include "strobe lights", "flash
lights",
"implement light pattem A", or "implement light pattern B". For a ticket
printer,
examples of potential high-level instructions might include "print a ticket
for 10 game
plays", "print a coupon for restaurant A", or "print a coupon for hotel A."
Further
high-level instructions might be sent to other types of peripheral devices
including
22
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button panels, video display screens, card readers, motors, keypads, bill
validators,
coin acceptors, and information panels. In block 610, the peripheral
controller
receives a high-level instruction for a peripheral device and converts the
high-level
instruction into to one or more low-level instructions that are needed to
perform the
specific operation on the peripheral device. For example, a high-level
instruction from
the master gaming controller to "strobe lights" on a light panel with 3 lights
connected to the gaming peripheral might be converted to a sequence low-level
instructions including "turn on light 1", "wait 100 milliseconds," "turn off
light 1",
"turn on light 2," "Nvait 100 milliseconds", "tatn off light 2", "turn on
light 3." In
block 620, the peripheral controller sends the device specific low-level
instructions
through the peripheral interface to the peripheral device. The sequence of low-
level
instructions sent from the peripheral controller allows the peripheral device
to
perform the operation requested by the master gaming controller.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting the details of the EVENT TRANSACTION
step in block 510 in Fig. 5. While the gaming machine is operating and
particularly
when a player is playing a game, the peripheral controller and master gaming
controller may attempt to store information on some events that occur on one
or more
of the peripheral devices. Typically, the critical events are stored in non-
volatile
memory on both the peripheral controller and the master gaming controller to
ensure
that in the event of a power failure or some other malfunction within the
gaming
machine during a game, critical event information is not lost. In the event of
a power
failure or some other malfunction within the gaming machine, which interrupts
a
game, this critical event information can be used to determine the state of
the gaming
machine and game before the interruption.
In block 700, the first step in an event transaction between the peripheral
controller and the master gaming controller is shown. In block 700, the
peripheral
device sends some information to the peripheral controller through the
peripheral
interface. The peripheral controller receives the data from the peripheral
device and
decides whether the information constitutes a critical event. A few possible
examples
of critical events might be the coin acceptor acknowledging a coin drop, the
bill
validator acknowledging receiving cash or the ticket reader receiving a ticket
for
game play. In block 710, when the peripheral controller decides the
information from
the peripheral device is a critical event, the peripheral controller may send
all or
portion of the data for storage in non-volatile memory on the peripheral
controller. A
potential hardware embodiment of this process is shown in FIG. 3. In block
720, after
recording the critical event information in non-volatile memory, a copy of the
critical
event information, which may be encrypted, is sent to the master gaming
controller
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using the standard communication protocol and standard communication
connections.
The critical event information may include a sequence number to avoid
duplicate
transactions. In block 730, the master gaming controller receives the critical
event
information. When the information is encrypted, the master gaming controller
decrypts the information. All or a portion of the information received from
the
peripheral controller is stored in non-volatile memory on the master gaming
controller. In block 740, the master gaming controller sends a notification
back to the
peripheral controller that the critical event sent from the peripheral
controller was
received. In block 750, after receiving this notification message from the
master
gaming controller, the peripheral controller may clear information from a
previous
critical event from its non-volatile memory.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for
purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes
and
modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For
instance, while the gaming machines of this invention have been depicted as
having
gaming peripherals physically attached to a main gaming machine cabinet, the
use of
gaming peripherals in accordance with this invention is not so limited. For
example,
the peripheral features commonly provided on a top box may be included in a
stand
along cabinet proximate to, but unconnected to, the main gaming machine
chassis.
24
