U.S. patent application number 16/676706 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-05 for gaming device with a secure interface.
The applicant listed for this patent is AIM Management, Inc., Douglas M. Okuniewicz. Invention is credited to Douglas M. Okuniewicz.
Application Number | 20200074804 16/676706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34705117 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-05 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200074804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okuniewicz; Douglas M. |
March 5, 2020 |
Gaming Device with a Secure Interface
Abstract
A system for an electronic gambling device output has been
developed. The system includes, a first computing device with slot
machine game logic circuitry that generates an output signal that
is content tested and approved by a gaming regulatory authority for
output by the slot machine. It also includes a second computing
device that is external to the slot machine. This device controls
the tested output content and output content that has not been
tested by the gaming regulatory authority. The untested output
content replaces or supplements the tested output content.
Inventors: |
Okuniewicz; Douglas M.;
(Post Falls, ID) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Okuniewicz; Douglas M.
AIM Management, Inc. |
Post Falls
Post Falls |
ID
ID |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
34705117 |
Appl. No.: |
16/676706 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16168262 |
Oct 23, 2018 |
10504328 |
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16676706 |
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15489427 |
Apr 17, 2017 |
10109152 |
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16168262 |
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14955580 |
Dec 1, 2015 |
9626827 |
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15489427 |
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14059179 |
Oct 21, 2013 |
9202333 |
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14955580 |
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13084363 |
Apr 11, 2011 |
8562431 |
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14059179 |
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11032388 |
Jan 10, 2005 |
7922577 |
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13084363 |
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09639441 |
Aug 15, 2000 |
6840860 |
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11032388 |
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08994075 |
Dec 19, 1997 |
6146276 |
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09639441 |
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08795152 |
Feb 7, 1997 |
5908354 |
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08994075 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
A63F 3/081 20130101; G07F 17/3255 20130101; G07F 17/3202 20130101;
G07F 17/3223 20130101; G07F 17/34 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101;
G07F 17/42 20130101; G07F 17/3248 20130101; A63F 2001/008 20130101;
A63F 3/08 20130101; G07F 17/3246 20130101; G06F 3/16 20130101; G07F
17/329 20130101; G07F 17/3262 20130101; G07F 17/3227 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32; G06F 3/16 20060101 G06F003/16; G07F 17/34 20060101
G07F017/34; G07F 17/42 20060101 G07F017/42; A63F 3/08 20060101
A63F003/08 |
Claims
1. A slot machine, comprising: game logic circuitry that has been
approved for use in a specific jurisdiction by a regulatory
authority; a secure interface in information transmission
connection with the game logic circuitry; where the secure
interface is operative to monitor game logic circuitry signals and
communicate those signals to a separate bonusing system; where the
separate bonusing system is in information transmission connection
with the slot machine via a secure interface; where the secure
interface is incapable of allowing external communications from the
separate bonusing system to alter the game logic circuitry signals;
an external output device in information transmission connection
with the separate bonusing system; and where the separate bonusing
system is operative to analyze the game logic circuitry signals and
command the external output device to generate an output in
response to said analysis.
2. The slot machine of claim 1, where the external output is at
least one of an audio output, a printed output, a displayed output,
an entry to a drawing, coin, and cash.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/168,262 filed Oct. 23, 2018 titled "Gaming
Device with a Secure Interface" which in turn was a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/489,427 (now U.S. Pat. No.
10,109,152) filed Apr. 17, 2017 titled Gaming Device with a Secure
Interface which in turn was a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/955,580 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,626,827),
filed on Dec. 1, 2015 titled "An Improved Gaming Device and Secure
Interface" which in turn was a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/059,179 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,202,333)
titled "An Improved Gaming Device and Secure Interface" filed on
Oct. 21, 2013, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/084,363 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,431) titled "An
Improved Gaming Device and Secure Interface" filed on Apr. 11, 2011
(now U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,431), which was a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/032,388 titled "Gaming Device and Secure
Interface" filed on Jan. 10, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,577),
which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/639,441
titled "Printing and Dispensing Bonusing System for Gaming Devices"
filed on Aug. 15, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,860), which was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/994,075 filed
on Dec. 19, 1997 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,276), which was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/795,152 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,354), filed Feb. 7, 1997.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a bonus dispensing system for
gaming devices and, more particularly, to a programmable printing
and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming devices
including slot machines, video poker machines and other such
electronic gaming devices which includes at least one detection
device connected an electronic gaming device, an event detection
sampling device in information transmission connection with the
detection device operative to identify particular events, a
programmable event occurrence information signal computing device
connected to the event detection sampling device, the programmable
event occurrence information signal computing device operative to
output command signals therefrom and a printing/dispensing bonus
device connected to said programmable event occurrence information
signal computing device operative to output bonus payout
information and items resulting from particular combinations being
produced by the electronic gaming device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Slot machines and video poker machines continue to be the
most widely used types of gaming devices found in the gaming
industry. The oldest slot machines and video poker machines were
relatively simple devices which included little in the way of sound
generating devices, commonly including only a bell or buzzer to
signify a winning combination on the reels. With the advent of new
technology in the gaming industry, the slot machines and video
poker machines were now able to produce a variety of pre-programmed
sounds through the use of computer chip technology. These chips are
most often constructed as integral parts of the gaming device and
are programmed at the factory to produce a limited number of sounds
in response to events such as a winning combination coming up on
the reels. The sounds produced by the machine can be of high
quality through the use of efficient loudspeaker systems.
[0004] In spite of the use of such new technology, one of the major
disadvantages found in the prior art regarding the sounds produced
by the slot machine has gone unaddressed. Specifically, because the
chips are programmed by the factory, the sounds and payouts
produced by the machine cannot be changed by the customer, i.e.,
the casino. The sounds and payouts produced by the gaming device
thus are always the same, absent game modifications, and the gaming
public may lose interest in play of the machine due to the lack of
any changes in the output of the machine when winning combinations
are produced. It is important to understand that on most machines
the sound and payout information and the payout tables are
programmed on the same chip. If a user of the gaming device wishes
to modify the sounds or bonuses produced by the machine, the chip
containing the sound bytes must be "reburned" or reprogrammed by
the factory or the casino. The reprogramming of the chip, however,
will mandate review and testing of the chip by an independent
testing laboratory and/or by the state gaming commission to confirm
that nothing on the chip was modified except for the sounds
themselves. Obviously, if retesting of the chip each time the
smallest change in sound or bonuses designated by the chip is
necessary, no casino location will wish to go through the process
due to the length of time and expense of development and testing
involved. There is, therefore, a need for a device for inclusion in
a gaming device which is capable of being quickly and easily
reprogrammed to produce a different sound or bonus payout in
response to a particular event occurrence, and which does not
require retesting by an agent of the gaming commission each time a
new sound or bonus is included.
[0005] It is thus seen that a disadvantage of the prior art is that
the sound-producing devices found in gaming devices cannot be
modified by the casino to produce alternative sounds. However, it
is a further disadvantage of the prior art that the
sound-generating devices on all but the newest machines are often
technologically insufficient to produce such sounds as human speech
and difficult-to-reproduce sounds. It therefore may be desirable to
enhance the sound-producing capabilities of the gaming device by
"adding on" a more sophisticated sound card. Due to restrictive
gaming regulations, however, any such add-on sound card would have
to be incapable of influencing the outcome probabilities of the
gaming device, thus requiring a type of detection means for
detecting specific event occurrences on the electronic circuit
board or the reels of the gaming device. At present, such read-only
detection devices are not found in the prior art, as most, if not
all, of the sound-producing devices found in the prior art are
integrated into the gaming device and such read-only detection
devices are not necessary. With the rapid improvement in sound
cards, however, the need for non-intrusive read-only detection
devices for use in combination with an add-on sound card has
arisen. There is therefore a need for such a read-only detection
device used in combination with an add-on sound card.
[0006] One of the most recent innovations in gaming is the
multi-machine jackpot, such as Quartermania, Megabucks and Cool
Millions. In these games, a bank of gaming machines are connected
to one another in information transmission connection such that
coin input at each of the machines adds to an overall jackpot which
can be hit on the any of the machines in the group. These wide-area
progressive games have acted to increase game play thus increasing
the handle of the casino. The disadvantage to such wide-area
progressive games is that the casino is again prevented from
modifying the sound or bonusing output of the machine when a
jackpot or other winning combination is achieved. The casino may
desire to formulate its own location-specific games, such as
treasure hunts or other such games, in which the treasure would be
"found" by a specific reel combination turning up on the machine.
Should such a reel combination come up on the machine, the player
would be notified by casino-specific sounds emanating from the
machine. It also may be desirable to have "treasure hunts" between
multiple casino locations having wide-area progressive games, but
again the sounds emitted by the machine must be modified to reflect
the new game play. Obviously, the sounds included in the machine
from the factory are not designed with this type of option in mind,
and it would be necessary for the casino to be able to interrupt
the ordinary sound production of the gaming device and substitute
its own desired sound output for particular event occurrences. It
is believed that the variety offered by such sound variations will
significantly increase "coin in" on the various machines due to the
heightened interest in the modified games.
[0007] Another disadvantage found in those devices representative
of the prior art is that when an update of sound produced is
desired, the chip carrying the sounds must be reprogrammed or
"reburned". As was stated previously, on many machines the audio
files are stored on and played by the same chip that controls the
payouts and pay tables for the machine. Therefore, each time the
chip is reprogrammed to issue new sounds, the modified chip must be
retested by an independent laboratory and/or the state authorities.
Obviously, a casino organization which has invested millions of
dollars in slot machines does not wish to lose the use of the slots
for a period of time during testing each time the sounds produced
by the machine are modified. There is therefore a need for an
easily updatable and reprogrammable sound-producing device for use
in slot machines and the like that will increase the usable life
span of the slot machine and, more importantly, require only a
single round of testing when initially added to the machine.
[0008] There are several examples of devices in machines proposed
in the prior art which attempt to increase the amount of "coin in"
by increasing interest in the games. For example, Nishikawa, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,522,399, discloses a device for generating an impact
sound for a slot machine, the device intentionally producing an
impact sound when reels start to be rotated by motors. Clearly,
however, this device cannot be modified in any meaningful way to
produce a variety of sounds and thus its application to the gaming
industry is limited.
[0009] It has also been found that there is a substantial interest
in the development of a bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices which outputs bonus items, the items either having
intrinsic value or being representative of the bonus received and
which are redeemable for the indicated bonus. As was stated
previously, any such add-on electronic activity detector would have
to be incapable of influencing the outcome probabilities of the
gaming device, and thus a uni-directional detection device for
detecting specific event occurrences on the electronic circuit
board would be preferred. In a typical slot machine, there are
numerous machine event occurrences which would need to be sampled
in order to determine whether the particular event has occurred.
These include such occurrences as a bill accepted into the machine,
a jackpot being hit, coin in, coin out and other display data. Each
of these machine inputs and outputs would need to be monitored to
determine event occurrences, but must be monitored in such a way
that the event occurrence cannot be tampered with in order to
conform to applicable gaming regulations. Therefore, as was stated
previously, there is a need for an electronic activity detector and
command generator which is capable of detecting event occurrences
on the circuit board of a gaming device and then issue appropriate
demands in response to those event occurrences which will cause
connected output devices to perform designated tasks.
[0010] By way of clarification, the electronic activity detecting
portion of the card is that portion of the card that will identify
that an event is taking place within the machine (i.e., coin in,
jackpot. etc. . . . ), and the command portion of the card is that
portion which recognizes the event and dictates the proper
response. Although it is expected that one of the major output
functions of any card performing these functions would be that of
sound reproduction, there is also a need for other types of
outputs, including printer functions, lights and gaming
information. It is important to note that there are no devices
found in the prior art which can be connected to one or more output
devices such as a sound card, a printer, a set of lights or a
player's card information system. There is therefore a need for a
device which can read and react to gaming machine outputs, and,
depending on the programming of the device, output the appropriate
command signals to output devices to drive the output devices to
perform their respective functions without affecting the regulated
components of the gaming device.
[0011] At the present time, bonuses on gaming devices are delivered
through the standard payment mechanism of an individual machine.
For example, if a specific reel combination is hit for 25 coins
plus a spin of the bonus wheel, the wheel will spin and stop on a
number or multiplier in an apparently random fashion (i.e., if it
stops on 50 coins then a total of 75 coins were won). However, the
total payment of 75 coins was predetermined at the time the reel
combination was hit, and therefore in cases like this the bonuses
are not really "bonuses" but rather a split payment of the actual
payout with one part of the split payment having the appearance of
a bonus.
[0012] It has also been found that increased game play can result
from the dispensing or paying of bonuses in connection with
particular reel or display combinations on the electronic gaming
device being hit. Such bonusing items could include plush toys,
vouchers for meals, cash, lottery tickets, coupons, promotional
materials, other prizes or almost any other type of prize award. At
the present time, the prior art does not disclose the dispensing or
printing of a bonus item from a secondary output device not
directly associated with the standard payment device on the gaming
device, most commonly a coin or scrip dispenser, the bonus being
dispensed in connection with a predetermined event or series of
events occurring on the gaming device, such as coin in or a
particular combination being "hit" on the electronic gaming device.
There is therefore a need for such a bonusing system which would
both increase game play and decrease the dissatisfaction of the
consumer, as a reel combination that is not ordinarily a payout
combination may result in the obtaining of bonus prizes.
[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices which includes at least one detection device adapted for
connection to an electronic apparatus which is operative to detect
selected event occurrences on the electronic apparatus and output
event occurrence notification signals upon detection of an
event.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices which includes an event detection sampling device in
information transmission connection with the detection devices, the
event detection sampling device operative to receive and detect the
event occurrence notification signals from the detection devices,
analyze the signals and output event occurrence information signals
specifying the occurrence of a preselected event or events on the
electronic apparatus circuit board.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices which includes a programmable event occurrence information
signal computing device in information transmission connection with
the event detection sampling device, the computing device operative
to receive and analyze event occurrence information signals output
by the event detection sampling device and upon detection of event
occurrence information signals, output command signals for
initiating operation of a printing and dispensing device connected
to the programmable event occurrence information signal computing
device, the printing and dispensing device operative to dispense or
print a bonus item or information from a secondary output device
not directly associated with the standard coin or scrip dispenser,
the bonus being dispensed in connection with at least one event
occurring on the electronic gaming device.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices which may be quickly and easily reprogrammed to produce
different outputs in response to the same reel combinations turning
up on the machine.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic gaming
devices, particularly a casino gaming device, which is capable of
sampling event occurrences on the circuit board of the gaming
device that is clearly incapable of influencing the outcome of any
gaming event in the gaming device, thus permitting the electronic
activity detector and command generator to be added to gaming
machines while requiring only minimal inspection by a gaming
commission or its agent. Future operational modifications will not
require reinspection by the gaming commission or its agent.
[0019] Finally, another object of the present invention is to
provide a printing and dispensing bonusing system for electronic
gaming devices which is durable in construction and safe and
efficient in use.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0020] In some aspects, the invention relates to a system for
externally generating a slot machine output via a network
connection with an externally located computing device, comprising:
a first computing device comprising slot machine game logic
circuitry operative to command generation of an output signal
comprising output content tested and approved by a gaming
regulatory authority for output by an output device of the slot
machine; and a second computing device, external to the slot
machine, that is operative to control the output of the tested
output content by the output device and is further operative to
command the output of output content that has not been tested by
the gaming regulatory authority where the untested output content
replaces or supplements the tested output content as determined by
the second computing device.
[0021] In other aspects, the invention relates to a system for
externally generating a slot machine payment via a network
connection with an externally located computing device, comprising:
a first computing device comprising slot machine game logic
circuitry tested and approved by a gaming regulatory authority said
circuitry operative to command generation of an output signal
comprising an output for payment by an output device of the slot
machine; a second computing device, external to the slot machine,
that is operative to control the tested and approved first
computing device output for payment by the output device and is
further operative to command a payment output that has not been
tested by the gaming regulatory authority where the payment output
supplements the tested output as determined by the second computing
device.
[0022] In other aspects, the invention relates to a system for
externally generating a slot machine payment via a network
connection with an externally located computing device, comprising:
a first computing device comprising slot machine game logic
circuitry tested and approved by a gaming regulatory authority said
circuitry operative to command generation of an output signal
comprising an output for payment by an output device of the slot
machine; a second computing device, external to the slot machine,
that is operative to control the tested and approved first
computing device output for payment by the output device and is
further operative to command a payment output that has not been
tested by the gaming regulatory authority where the payment output
replaces the tested output as determined by the second computing
device.
[0023] In other aspects, the invention relates to an output
generation system for a slot machine output device, comprising: a
first source of slot machine output device output information in
electronic information transmission connection with the slot
machine output device, the first source of output device output
information containing output information related to a wagering
game of the slot machine; a second source of slot machine output
device output information in electronic information transmission
connection with the slot machine output device, the second source
of output device output information containing output information
not related to the wagering game of the slot machine; where the
slot machine output device is operative to generate an output
responsive to at least one of: a.) the output information related
to the wagering game of the slot machine and b.) the output
information not related to the wagering game of the slot machine;
where output information received by the output device is
determined by the second source of slot machine output device
output information; where the second source of slot machine output
device output information comprises an alterable source of
information; and where the electronic information transmission
connection between the second source of slot machine output device
output information and the slot machine output device does not
permit a communication from the second source of slot machine
output device output information to alter the first source slot
machine output device output information.
[0024] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] It should be noted that identical features in different
drawings are shown with the same reference numeral.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of the present
invention showing the elements thereof.
[0027] FIGS. 2A-2E are detailed circuit diagrams of the input
section of the electronic activity detector and command
generator.
[0028] FIGS. 3A-3E are detailed circuit diagrams of the event
occurrence information signal computing device or main computing
unit showing the inputs and outputs thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following description discloses two embodiments of the
present invention. The first embodiment is a programmable
electronic activity detector and command generator illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3E.
[0030] FIGS. 2A-2E and 3A-3E illustrate the programmable electronic
activity detector and command generator 200 of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the embodiment includes a machine
interface 202 which consists of the connection of the programmable
electronic activity detector and command generator 200 to the
circuit board 300 of an electronic device. In this instance, as
shown in FIGS. 2A-3E, the electronic device would be a typical slot
machine having display data output, machine input information and
machine output information which may be either sampled on the
circuit board itself as will be necessary with many retrofit
situations, or the slot machine may include a wiring harness which
allows for simple connection to each of the data output locations
from the circuit board. In either event, the machine interface 202
will access the information sites on the circuit board and allow
for the event occurrence data to be transferred to the programmable
electronic activity detector and command generator 200.
[0031] The machine interface 200 is connected, in the preferred
embodiment, through a series of diodes and dip switches to the
event detector devices 204a-o which operate to read the machine
outputs. The event detector devices may be of various types of
detectors, including optical isolators or the like, so long as the
primary function of unobtrusively determining event occurrences is
fulfilled. Each of the event detector devices 204a-o are connected
to one of the machine output lines 201a-o and therefore when an
event occurs on any of the machine output lines 201a-o, the event
detector device 204a-o associated with that event will signify the
occurrence of that event yet prevent any potential modification of
the event status due to the one-way nature of the event detector
devices. After the event detector device 204a-o activates in
response to event occurrence on the machine board, the event
occurrence notification signal corresponding to that event
occurrence is transmitted to the data capture segment 206 of the
embodiment 200. The data capture segment 206 consists of a
plurality of input registers which receive the incoming event
occurrence notification signal from the event detector devices
204a-o and interfaces the signal from the machine interface 202 to
the event occurrence information signal computing device or main
computing unit 240. The input registers 208b and 208c are each
preferably connected to the machine inputs and machine outputs on
the machine output line 201d-o whereas input register 208a is
preferably connected to the display data coming from machine output
lines 201a, 201b and 201c. The display data is in serial format
coming from the circuit board 300 of the slot machine and thus must
be changed over to parallel to permit the main computing unit 240
to access the incoming display data. For this reason, each of the
incoming display unit lines is converted from serial to parallel
format by an appropriate converter, shown as converter units 210a,
210b and 201c. The display data is then fed into input register
208a before being forwarded onto the main computing unit 240.
Finally, input register 208d is designed for use with eight-bit
addressing systems for future possible uses.
[0032] It should be clear that an additional operational feature of
the data capture portion 206 of the embodiment 200 of FIGS. 1-3E is
that the data capture portion 206 must be organized to permit the
main computing unit 240 to sample the incoming data to determine
event occurrences on the circuit board 300 of the slot machine.
This would commonly be done by clock pulse synchronization or
multiplexing in which the main computing unit 240 is programmed to
periodically "poll" each of the input registers 208a-d to determine
if an event has occurred. Each of the input registers 208a-d may be
polled in turn to determine an event occurrence detected by the
input registers 208a-d thus permitting the connection of all of the
input register outputs to be placed on a signal bus line 212
leading to the main computing unit 240. The polling operation will
be made more clear in the discussion regarding the main computing
unit 240, but it should be generally understood that the input
registers 208a-d operate in a manner generally understood by those
skilled in the art.
[0033] The input registers 208a-d of the data capture portion 206
are connected in information transmission connection by bus 212 to
the programmable event occurrence information signal computing
device 240 which will, be referred to herein as the MCU (main
computing unit). The MCU 240 is programmed to scan the input
registers within the data capture portion 206 of the alternative
embodiment and remove, identify and compare the event occurrence
notification signals found within those registers to a decision
table preloaded into the registers of the MCU 240 itself. This
decision table may take any accepted form so long as the MCU 240 is
able to access the data, identify particular event occurrence
information signals and output command signals to connected output
devices which command those output devices to perform certain
functions based on particular machine events. For example, common
machine events may include coin in, handle pull, jackpot, any other
payoff combination or non-winning combination or the like.
[0034] The MCU 240 will preferably be an eight-bit CMOS
microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc., part
No. PIC16C6X. Of course, it is to be understood that numerous other
types of microcontrollers may be used with the present invention
provided those microcontrollers are programmable to perform the
same or similar operations. Although the MCU 240 is shown as being
wired into the system in one particular design in FIGS. 3A-3E, it
should be further understood that the exact layout and connection
of the hardware elements described herein is not overly critical to
the present invention so long as the embodiment 200 is able to
function as intended. Furthermore, although the MCU 240 of the
present invention is programmed using RISC code, it is to be
understood that the exact object code to be used in the MCU 240 is
not critical to the invention so long as the MCU 240 operates to
perform all of its intended functions.
[0035] When the MCU 240 identifies that an event occurrence
information signal received from one of the input registers 208a-d
corresponds to a table event within the register of the MCU 240,
the MCU 240, due to its programming, determines that a command
signal should be sent to a connected output device. As best seen in
FIG. 6, the MCU 240 is programmed and hardwired to output command
signals in two basic formats, one being a simple command pulse or
device trigger for the triggering of an output device such as a
bell, whistle, or light, and the second being a serial interface
for connection to more sophisticated output devices such as a sound
card or a printer. The programmable electronic activity detector
and command generator 200 of the present invention is designed to
substitute alternative output device responses for particular event
occurrences in the slot machine. Obviously, modification and/or
replacement of all of the event occurrences produced by the machine
is not necessary nor even advisable in many instances and therefore
the MCU 240 is operative to replace or supplement only those events
designated for replacement by the event table in the MCU and allow
the remaining machine outputs to be produced normally by the slot
machine.
[0036] When the MCU 240 detects that a designated event has
occurred in the slot machine by a match of a selected event
occurrence information signal and an event held within the table,
the MCU 240 generates a command signal which is sent to connected
output devices. Depending on the event occurrence in the slot
machine, the command signal which is output by the MCU 240 will be
a command pulse, which will be sent via the auxiliary triggers 242a
and 242b which send a simple trigger pulse to connected output
devices designed for activation by such command pulses, or will be
a serial format command signal for commanding serial output devices
such as an audio card, a printer or other such serial output
device. The information transmission connection of the MCU 240 to
the serial output devices would preferably consist of a serial
peripheral interface 244 of an industry standard format. Finally,
the serial command signals output by the MCU 240 would preferably
be in standard serial format to permit the use of many different
types of output devices with the programmable electronic activity
detector and command generator 200, connection to which would be by
a standard serial cable. Of course, as a virtually limitless number
of types of output devices may be used with the presently described
device, the command signals output by the MCU 240 may be modified
to conform to the particular connected output device, as would be
understood by one skilled in the art.
[0037] The command signals sent by the MCU 240 would preferably be
in the format commonly used for command of printers, sound cards
and the like to facilitate the use of the present invention with
already existing hardware, and the programming and operation of
such devices is well-known in the prior art. One important aspect
of the present invention is that allowance has been made for the
MCU 240 to include a network interface 260 which can be used to
connect the programmable electronic activity detector and command
generator 200 to a central control system (not shown). Through the
network interface 260, the central control system will be able to
collect event information from the slot machine and also will be
able to download command information to the programmable electronic
activity detector and command generator 200 to activate connected
output devices. A prime example of the use of this connection would
be to immediately reward a game player upon hitting a certain
combination on the reels, which was being monitored over the
central control system. It is expected that the network system
would be implemented as was previously discussed, although any
appropriate network system could be used for the present
invention.
[0038] One other possible use of the present invention is as a
tie-in with state-run lotteries in which the network capabilities
of the present invention would be used to provide a wide-area
"Powerball" type jackpot payoff on one particular combination being
achieved. The specific nature of this implementation will be made
apparent in future documentation, but this and other such examples
serve to illustrate the virtually limitless possibilities for use
of the present invention.
[0039] The second embodiment of the present invention is similar in
function to the first embodiment, but incorporates additional
features which further emphasize the unique aspects of the present
invention. The bonus printing and dispensing method of the present
invention includes the features of the previous embodiment but
provides a bonus printing and dispensing device operatively
connected to the MCU 240 and the command signals sent by the MCU
240 correspond to the occurrence of preselected event or series of
events occurring on the electronic gaming device. The detection of
a preselected event or series of events is performed by the event
detector devices 204a-o which signal the occurrence of the event by
the transmission of an event occurrence notification signal
corresponding to that event occurrence to the data capture segment
206 of the embodiment 200. The event detector devices 204a-o may be
of various types as described previously, and may even be
constructed as integral elements of the gaming device, so long as
they function to detect event occurrences in the gaming device. The
MCU 240 is programmed to recognize those preselected event
occurrences, the programming being done by standard programming
methods understood to those skilled in the art, and issue command
signals to the connected bonusing system of the present invention,
which, in the preferred embodiment, may include a bonus information
printing device, bonus item dispensing device and/or a connected
electronic gaming device to output a bonus item or bonus
information. It is important to note that the bonus printing or
dispensing device is separate from the standard payout device of
the electronic gaming device and is controlled separately by the
MCU 240. This means that the bonus payout is independent of the
regular payout and can be modified without affecting the payout of
the gaming device. This allows the casino or operator to modify the
bonus payouts according to its wishes, without requiring additional
inspection by a gaming commission or its agent.
[0040] A preferred embodiment of the bonusing system of the present
invention would include a printing device operative to print bonus
prize information which would be redeemable for a selected bonus
prize. When a preselected event or series of events occurs on the
gaming device, the printing device is commanded by the MCU 240 to
dispense a printed ticket or voucher which can be redeemed for the
selected bonus item or prize. Alternatively, the system would
include a dispensing device which could be a vending device or the
like which operative to output bonus items including coin, cash,
bonus tickets, lottery tickets, scratch off tickets,
complimentaries, promotional materials, and other such bonus
awards.
[0041] Of course, the key and critical element of the above
invention is that bonus payout is printed or dispensed by a
separate device independent of the standard payout device of the
gaming device and is tied to the occurrence of selected reel or
outcome combinations on the electronic gaming device, and other
occurrences on the gaming device do not directly influence the
bonus payout. The above-described invention is believed to provide
a substantial improvement over the prior art, as the player of the
gaming device will not only win standard payouts but will also win
bonus prizes based on selected events or series of events
occurring. Moreover, as the present invention provides a legitimate
bonus versus a split payment of a predetermined amount, the player
is more likely to continue playing the gaming device regardless of
outcome, as they will still be receiving bonus prizes. Finally, as
the present invention provides bonuses not connected with the
payment calculations of the machine, the player may receive bonuses
despite not hitting a standard payout combination.
[0042] It is to be understood that numerous additions,
modifications, and substitutions may be made to the programmable
electronic activity detector and command generator 200 and printing
and dispensing bonusing system of the present invention which fall
within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For
example, the microprocessors may potentially be combined into a
single microprocessor chip programmed to perform the functions of
each of the three chips. Furthermore, the specific object code used
to program the microprocessors may be modified or changed in many
ways so long as the function of each of the elements of the
programmable electronic activity detector and command generator 200
and printing and dispensing bonusing system are able to function in
the correct and efficient manner. Also, the detection devices of
the present invention, described herein as optical interfaces, may
be modified, changed or replaced entirely with detection devices
which fulfill the intended function of identification of event
occurrences and transfer of that information to the programmable
electronic activity detector and command generator 200.
Possibilities include optical readers which read the reel
combinations produced by the machine and electromagnetic pulse
detectors for detection of event occurrence signals, in addition to
detectors directly connected to the gaming device or formed
integrally therewith. Also, the exact designs and structures of the
programmable electronic activity detector and command generator 200
and printing and dispensing bonusing system may be rearranged or
modified as necessary to fit within the gaming device environment.
Finally, the printing and dispensing bonusing system of the present
invention may be modified or changed to issue different types of
bonuses in connection with different series of occurrences on the
gaming device, in addition to various types of printing and
dispensing devices.
[0043] There have thus been shown and described a programmable
electronic activity detector and command generator 200 and a
printing and dispensing bonusing system which accomplish at least
all of their stated objectives.
[0044] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
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