WO2016164972A1

WO2016164972A1 - A gaming machine controller

Info

Publication number: WO2016164972A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050267
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve JOSIFOVSKI
Original assignee: Highway Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-16
Filing date: 2016-04-12
Publication date: 2016-10-20

Abstract

A gaming machine controller (10) includes an input module (14) for connection of a gaming console (20). An audio/video module (16) is provided for connection of at least one of audio and video equipment. A format-independent controller module (18) is responsive to the gaming console (20), the controller module 18 being configured to convert game play control inputs into output signals for, and recognisable by, the gaming console (20) to provide game play outcomes responsive to the game play control inputs.

Description

"A gaming machine controller"

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent

Application No 2015901365 filed on 16 April 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates, generally, to gaming machines and, more particularly, to a gaming machine controller and to a gaming machine including such a controller. The types of gaming machines are, typically but not necessarily exclusively, arcade style gaming machines.

Background

[0003] In recent times the arcade game industry has encountered a steady decline, at least partly as a result of the home game console/computer video game industry expanding due to its large market segmentation, affordability, convenience, ease of access, and extensive selection of gaming titles. As a result of these factors, the arcade game industry is now finding it increasingly difficult to compete profitably with the home video game industry.

[0004] For consumers, the ownership of an arcade style gaming machine is undesirable due to its high purchase costs, limited game availability and reduced hardware compatibility.

[0005] As a result of the increased popularity of home console video games, the market has become quite saturated with many different software titles and home console product offerings. Further, PC game play continues to expand with cloud based facilities where customers can purchase a number of game titles and install those on to their PCs with one interface. Many game software developers are making their titles available for online download and as the games become outdated, they are bundled for mass sales at prices as low as 20c per game. This presents game players with an extremely wide range of games to play on their home computers at a very low cost. [0006] The problem for arcade style gaming machine owners currently is that it is very difficult to modify or build an arcade cabinet to work with a home gaming console/computer and, once modified, it is time consuming to convert back to arcade operation. Furthermore, if the owner of such a machine then wants to connect a different home gaming console, the owner will need to re-modify the cabinet to suit the specific home gaming console protocol. Since there is a wide range of key switch encoders, wiring configurations, video and audio signals, lack of flexibility with the home consoles and computers, the owner will need to purchase a number of costly components and have high levels of technical ability to modify the arcade style gaming machine successfully.

[0007] Commercially, many small arcade gaming machine venues such as bars, restaurants, and internet cafes are unable to purchase late model arcade machines due to their high cost. Even after many years, a popular arcade game title in the amusement industry may still cost many thousands of dollars and the costs are exacerbated due to the fact that the cost is for only one game. The owner can change the arcade game board into other games, but if they are looking for current series games with high definition graphics, the price for such game boards is over US$3,000.

[0008] For the home user, arcade style gaming machines are very expensive and out of reach of all but the most well off members of the population, especially when such machines are first released in the market. Whilst the arcade style gaming machine offers a more complete gaming experience, most game playing enthusiasts are compelled to buy the home game console and play the software in their home.

[0009] Due to the high costs associated with purchasing an arcade style gaming machine, many home users will look to build their own arcade style gaming machine, or retrofit older cabinets into gaming console arcade style gaming machines. The problem is that the owner generally does not take into account that they need to spend thousands of dollars to accurately replicate the home game console/computer play on current arcade style gaming machines.

[0010] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary

[0011] In a first aspect, there is provided a gaming machine controller which includes

an input module for connection of a gaming console;

an audio/video module for connection of at least one of audio and video equipment; and

a format-independent controller module responsive to the gaming console, the controller being configured to convert game play control inputs into output signals for, and recognisable by, the gaming console to provide game play outcomes responsive to the game play control inputs.

[0012] In this specification, the term "format-independent" means, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, that it is immaterial what format of gaming console is connected to the input module, the controller module being unaffected by the type of gaming console connected to the input module. In other words the controller module configures the gaming machine controller to be operable with any type of gaming consoles. Further, in this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "gaming console" is to be understood to mean a computer-implemented device specially made for playing video games by connecting it to a television or other display for video and sound.

[0013] The gaming console may be any one of a number of commercially available gaming consoles such as those sold by companies such as Microsoft^®, Sony^®, or the like. Further, the gaming console may be a computer loaded with computer games. Still further, the gaming console may comprise a commercial arcade game board. In yet a further implementation, the gaming console may be a smart device such as, for example, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a phablet, a smart watch, or the like.

[0014] The controller may include a first connector for connecting conventional arcade game functionality to the controller module and a second connector for connecting bespoke controls to the controller module to provide additional game play functionality. The first connector may be a JAMMA-style multi-pin connector in communication with the controller module. The second connector may be a multi-pin connector in communication with the controller module, the multi-pin connector providing connectivity for the additional game play functionality for playing a game.

[0015] The additional controls may include additional push buttons and at least one pointing device. The pointing device may be a trackball, touch pad, or the like.

[0016] The controller may include payment functionality connected to the controller module. The payment functionality may include a timer. The timer may be user-configurable to allow play for a specific period of time per monetary value. The payment functionality may be adjustable by an operator via the controller module.

[0017] The input module may be further configured for connection of a gaming console control unit associated with a particular gaming console.

[0018] In a second aspect, there is provided a gaming machine which includes

a gaming machine controller as described above; and

a control panel connected to the controller, the control panel containing at least one set of controls for enabling a player to control a game associated with the controller, the controls including at least one joystick, a plurality of buttons and a pointing device.

[0019] The control panel may include at least two sets of controls for enabling at least two players to play the game in competition with each other.

[0020] The gaming machine may include a cabinet housing the controller, the control panel being removably mounted to the cabinet. The gaming machine may include a plurality of configurations of control panels, the different configurations of control panels being used for playing different types of games. For example, the control panels may include an arcade-type of game control panel, a shooting game control panel, a music game control panel, a driving game control panel, a joystick control panel, a touchscreen control panel, a board game control panel, or the like. Still further, one configuration of control panel may be a blank, user-customisable control panel.

[0021] In a third aspect, there is provided a gaming machine which includes

a cabinet; and a set of control panels, the control panels being of different configurations to one another to facilitate the playing of different games via a gaming machine controller.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] Embodiments of the disclosure are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: -

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a gaming machine controller; [0024] Fig. 2 shows a first end view of the gaming machine controller; [0025] Fig. 3 shows a second end view of the gaming machine controller; [0026] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the gaming machine controller;

[0027] Fig. 5 shows connectivity of gaming consoles and their control units to the gaming machine controller of Fig. 1 ;

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a wiring diagram of an embodiment of a gaming machine including the controller of Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 7 shows a first embodiment of a gaming machine with interchangeable control panels;

[0030] Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of a gaming machine with interchangeable control panels;

[0031] Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of a gaming machine; and [0032] Fig. 10 shows a plan view of a control panel of the gaming machine. Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0033] Referring initially to Figs. 1-4 the drawings, an embodiment of a gaming machine controller in the form of an 10 board is illustrated and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The IO board 10 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 carrying the various components to be described below.

[0034] The IO board 10 includes an input module 14 arranged at one end of the PCB 12. An audio/video (AV) module 16 for connection of audio and video equipment is arranged along one side of the PCB 12. The IO board 10 further includes a controller module 18 responsive to a gaming console, a number of which are shown at 20 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, connected to the input module 14 as well as a gaming console control unit, a number of which are shown at 22 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the control unit 22 associated with the particular gaming console 20 also being connected to the input module 14.

[0035] It is to be noted that it is not essential for the hand control unit 22 associated with the applicable gaming console 20 to be connected to the IO board 10. The functionality associated with the hand control unit 22 is replicated in the controller module 18. As a result the player can either connect the hand control unit 22 to the IO board 10 and play the game using the hand control unit 22 or, instead, the player merely uses the controls of the gaming machine of which the IO board 10 forms a part.

[0036] Notably, it is immaterial what type of gaming console 20/associated control unit 22 is connected to the input module 14, the controller module 18 being operable with any type of gaming console 20 provided the IO board 10 has been programmed to recognise and be compatible with that type of gaming console 20.

[0037] In greater detail, the input module 14 comprises a plurality of connectors in the form of USB connectors 24, 26 and 28. The input module 14 further includes a micro-USB connector 31 via which software upgrades can be loaded to the IO board 10. This renders the IO board 10 backwards compatible so that any new gaming consoles 20 coming on to the market can be accommodated by upgrading the firmware of the IO board 10 via the port 31. [0038] Each USB connector 24, 26 and 28 comprises a pair of ports 30 and 32 which are paired. This means that one of the ports, for example, port 30 is used for connection of the gaming console control unit 22 and the other port 32 is then used for connection of the gaming console 20 to the IO board 10.

[0039] The gaming console 20 may be one of a number of commercially available gaming consoles such as those sold by Microsoft^®, Sony^®, Nintendo^®,Ouya^®, or the like. The gaming consoles 20 made by Microsoft^®, Sony^® and Nintendo^® are available under the registered trade marks Xbox^®, PlayStation^® and Wii^®, respectively. It will further be appreciated that there are different generations of these gaming consoles, all of which are compatible with the IO board 10.

[0040] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the gaming console 20 could be a computer such as a PC 34, a smart device (not shown) such as a smart phone, a tablet, a phablet, or the like. Still further, the gaming console 20 used with the IO board 10 can be in the form of an arcade game board (not shown). It will be appreciated that this list is merely exemplary and not exhaustive. Other forms of gaming consoles and gaming machines may also be connected to the IO board 10.

[0041] Examples of gaming consoles illustrated in Fig. 5 show an Xbox^® 36, an Xbox 360^® 40 and an Xbox 1^® 42, all of which are compatible with a control unit 38, an Ouya gaming console 44 with its control unit 46, a PlayStation^® 48, a PlayStation 2^® 50, a PlayStation 3^® 52 and a PlayStation 4^® 54, each of which is controlled by a control unit 56 and a Wii^® console 58 together with its control unit 60.

[0042] As described above, each gaming console 20 is optionally paired with its control unit 22 when connected via the input module 14 to the IO board 10. In the case of the PC 34, its control units comprise a keyboard 62 and/or a pointing device in the form of a mouse 64. When a PC 34 is connected to one of the connectors 24, 26 or 28 via the port 32, it is paired with its keyboard 62 or mouse 64 by connecting the keyboard 62 or mouse 64 into the port 30 of the relevant connector 24, 26 or 28.

[0043] It will be appreciated that, if a player has games stored on a flash drive/memory stick, the player will be able to play those games by inserting the flash drive/memory stick into the port 32 of one of the connectors 24, 26 or 28 with the relevant control unit 22 being connected to the port 30 of the connector 24, 26 or 28.

[0044] Each connector 24, 26 and 28 is connected to the controller module 18 via a USB driver integrated circuit, or IC, 62.

[0045] The controller module 18 is in the form of a game controller IC which is configured to recognise the type of gaming console 20 connected to the input module 14. The game controller IC 18 is further configured to be responsive to player inputs via controls of a gaming machine, the gaming machine being designated generally by the reference numeral 72 in Fig. 6 of the drawings, to convert those player inputs into a signal compatible with the connected gaming console 20, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0046] The AV module 16 has connections for connecting audio and video equipment. More particularly, the AV module 16 has video inputs 64, audio inputs 66, video outputs 68 and audio outputs 70.

[0047] The gaming machine 72 is an arcade style gaming machine. The IO board 10 is, as will be described in greater detail below, intended to modify the gaming machine 72 to enable it to accommodate other types of games such as those played on commercially available home gaming consoles 20 and to allow a wider variety of games to be played on the gaming machine 72.

[0048] Earlier arcade style gaming machines make use of an RGB wiring system for video. This is a five wire system which forms part of a wiring harness 74 (Fig. 6) known as a JAMMA (Japanese Amusement Machinery Manufacturers Association) wiring harness which plugs into a conventional arcade game board to enable video signals to be received by a monitor of the arcade style gaming machine.

[0049] Later arcade style gaming machines use a VGA or HDMI monitor and the need for the JAMMA wiring harness is obviated. The operator connects the video cables directly from the arcade game board to the monitor of the gaming machine. [0050] A problem with different gaming consoles, arcade game boards, PCs and

monitors/displays is that there is a wide variety of formats of video signals with varying resolutions and different forms of connectors.

[0051] The AV module 16 of the IO board 10 accepts various video connectors such as RGB, A/V, VGA, DVI and HDMI plug type connections at various resolutions to convert the video signal and plug type into a suitable video protocol for a monitor 76 (Fig. 6) of the gaming machine 72. Hence, the AV module 16 includes and HDMI input 78, a VGA input 80 and an A/V video socket 82. The operator merely plugs in the video input of the particular gaming console 20 into the appropriate video inputs 64 of the IO board 10.

[0052] The video output 68 of the AV module 16 comprises an HDMI connector 84 and a VGA connector 86. The operator connects output connections to match the monitor 76 to the appropriate video output 68. If the monitor 76 is an older cathode ray tube (CRT) type of monitor, video data are fed via the JAMMA harness 74 to the monitor 76 of the gaming machine 72.

[0053] The AV module 16 includes a resolution adjustment mechanism in the form of a dipswitch 88. The operator can set the required resolution using the dipswitch 88. The operator can also adjust video signal output by putting the IO board 10 into a test mode and, via an operating system controller IC 90 of the IO board 10, the operator is able to make resolution adjustments.

[0054] The operator uses the dipswitch 88 to determine the mode of adjustment. In particular, if a first switch of the dipswitch 88 is set in an off position, resolution adjustment is effected via the settings of the remaining switches of the dipswitch 88. Conversely, if the first switch of the dipswitch 88 is set in its on position, the settings of the remaining switches of the dipswitch 88 are ignored by the controller 90 and user-input settings via the controller 90 take precedence.

[0055] In the latter case, the resolution and other settings are adjusted via the monitor 76. Other settings which can be adjusted in this mode include brightness, contrast, colour and screen position. [0056] The 10 board 10 includes an A/V controller IC 92. Video signals input via the appropriate video inputs 64 are fed through the A/V controller 92 to be output via the video outputs 68 and/or appropriate pins of an edge connector 94 to which the JAMMA harness 74 connects.

[0057] The audio inputs 66 of the AV module 16 comprise the HDMI connector 78, left and right RCA jacks 94 and 96, respectively, and a 3.5 mm computer input jack 98.

[0058] As with the case of video signals, there are different formats of audio signals, for example, analogue signals and digital signals as well as different types of connectors. The audio inputs 66 of the AV module 16 of the IO board cater for these different formats of signals and types of connectors.

[0059] The A/V controller 92 of the IO board 10 is operable to feed the relevant audio signal from the audio input 66 through an audio circuit 100 (Fig. 1) to the audio outputs 70 as well as to the appropriate pin on the edge connector 94 to connect to the JAMMA harness 74 to connect to speakers 102 (Fig. 6) of the gaming machine 72. In addition, audio signals output via the audio circuit 100 are fed to left and right jacks 104 and 106, respectively, to enable a customer to connect external speakers (not shown) to the gaming machine 72, optionally via an amplifier 110 (Fig. 5).

[0060] The audio output 70 also includes a 3.5 mm jack 108 to which the operator can attach a pair of headphones 112 (Fig. 5).

[0061] The AV module 16 includes a volume control 114 which is operable by a user to control volume outputs either via the speakers 102 of the gaming machine 72 or the external speakers connected to the jacks 104 and 106.

[0062] The IO board 10 has an on-board menu system which can be accessed by the operator putting the gaming machine 72 into test mode. Existing arcade style gaming machines include a test button to enable this to be done and the IO board 10 can be put into test mode by pressing such an existing test button (not shown) which sends an appropriate signal via the JAMMA harness 74 to the controller 90 of the IO board 10. Instead, the IO board 10 includes a test button 116 to enable the operator to put the IO board into test mode. [0063] When the 10 board 10 is put into test mode, the operator can access a menu to enable various adjustments to be made including the following: -

• testing of switches 118 (Fig. 6) of the gaming machine 72 to assess whether or not all switches are working correctly;

• remapping of the keyboard 62 and/or mouse 64 of the PC 34;

• remapping of the associated hand control unit 22 of the relevant gaming console 20;

• as described above, adjustments to video quality including resolution, monitor brightness and contrast, colour, etc.;

• coin play adjustment - including cost of play, time per credit, etc. (as will be described in greater detail below); and

• upgrading firmware of the IO board 10, as described above, via the USB

connector 31.

[0064] The above list is not to be regarded as exhaustive and other adjustments are also able to be done when the IO board 10 is in test mode.

[0065] The IO board 10 is able to facilitate paid play of games on the gaming machine 72. For this purpose, the IO board includes a pay operation switch 120 which the operator can turn on for paid play of the gaming machine 72. It will be appreciated that payment can either be effected by coins, banknotes or bank cards, such as credit cards or debit cards, bespoke payment cards, or the like. When the pay operation switch 120 is switched to the "on" position, free play is turned off.

[0066] The operator can adjust the play time per monetary unit when the IO board 10 is in test mode, as described above. For example, the operator can set the period of time for which a player can play the gaming machine 72 upon payment of a specified amount, for example, $1.

[0067] The IO board 10 includes a connector 122 for a timer board. The operator can set the amount of play time per monetary unit via the timer board. As shown in greater detail in Fig. 10 of the drawings, the gaming machine 76 includes a control panel 124. The control panel 124 includes a timer 126 which is a countdown timer to show the player how much time is left. Once the timer reaches zero, the customer needs to replenish the amount paid in order to continue playing. The customer does this via a coin slot 128 on the control panel 124. It will be appreciated that the coin slot 128 is a schematic representation and could be, or include, a bill collector or a card reader.

[0068] The 10 board 10 also includes a connector 130 for connecting a steering wheel potentiometer (not shown) for driving-type games to be played on the gaming machine 72.

[0069] Still further, the IO board 10 includes a power connector 132 for connecting a source of power to the IO board 10.

[0070] A problem associated with existing arcade style gaming machines is that they are not sufficiently versatile to accommodate more modern games or a larger variety of games. This is at least partially due to such arcade style gaming machines having insufficient switches to enable modern, more complex games to be played.

[0071] Conventional arcade style gaming machines have control element functionality which is too limited to enable a large number of different types of games to be played. The traditional arcade style gaming machine control element functionality is shown at 130 in Fig. 6 of the drawings and includes a joystick 132 and a number of individual push buttons 134.

[0072] To improve the versatility of the IO board 10, and the gaming machine 72 in which the IO board 10 is installed, the control panel 124 of the gaming machine 72 includes a further array of buttons 136 and pointing devices which, in the illustrated embodiment, are trackballs 138 to provide additional game play functionality 140.

[0073] In order to provide signals to the additional game play functionality 140 of the control panel 124 of the gaming machine 72, the IO board 10 includes a second edge connector 142. The gaming machine 72 includes a second harness 144 (Fig. 6) wired to the control panel 124. The second harness 144 connects to the second edge connector 142 and communicates with the controller 18 to communicate game play from the connected gaming console 20 to the control panel 124. The second harness 144 also feeds back signals from the switches 118 to the gaming console 20 via the controller 18.

[0074] For the sake of completeness, set out below is a table providing the use of the pins of the edge connector 94 which are as follows:- Solder Side Parts Side

Ground A 1 Ground

Ground B 2 Ground

+5 Volts C 3 +5 Volts

+5 Volts D 4 +5 Volts

E 5

+12 Volts F 6 +12 Volts

KEY H 7 KEY

J 8 Coin Meter 1

K Qy

Speaker - L 10 Speaker +

Speaker - M 11 Speaker +

Video Green N 12 Video Red

Video Sync P 13 Video Blue

Service Switch R 14 Video Ground

S 15 Test

T 16 Coin 1

12 Player 2 Start / Menu / Options u 17 Player 1 Start / Menu / Options 1

1 Player 2 Joystick Up V 18 Player 1 Joystick Up :

14 Player 2 Joystick Down w 19 Player 1 Joystick Down 3

15 Player 2 Joystick Left X 20 Player 1 Joystick Left 4 l h Player 2 Joystick Right Y 21 Player 1 Joystick Right 5

17 Player 2 Button 1 / X / □ z 22 Player 1 Button 1 / X / □

1 Player 2 Button 2 / Y / Δ Aa 23 Player 1 Button 2 / Y / Δ ΐ Player 2 Button 3 / RB / R 1 Ab 24 Player 1 Button 3 / RB / Rl 8 0 Player 2 Button 4 / A / X Ac 25 Player 1 Button 4 / A / X υ 1 Player 2 Button 5 / B / 0 Ad 26 Player 1 Button 5 / B / 0 10

Player 2 Button 6 / RT / R2 Ae 27 Player 1 Button 6 / RT / R2 [

Af 28 [0075] In addition, set out below is a table providing the use of the pins of the edge connector 142 which are as follows:-

56 Ground N 12 Ground 34

Player 1 Button 7 / LB

57 Player 2 - Button 7 / LB / LI P 13 35

/ LI

Player 1 Button 8 / LT S Player 2 - Button 8 / LT / L2 R 14 h

/ L2

5'⁾ Player 2 - Home Button S 15 Player 1 - Home Button 37

Player 1 -

60 Player 2 - Back/Select/Share T 16 38

Back/Select/Share

Player 1 - Extra Button

61 Player 2 - Extra Button 1 u 17 y>

1

Player 1 - Extra Button

6¹ Player 2 - Extra Button 2 V 18 40

2

Player 1 - Extra Button

63 Player 2 - Extra Button 3 w 19 1

3

Player 1 - Extra Button

64 Player 2 - Extra Button 4 X 20 42

4

Player 1 - Extra Button

65 Player 2 - Extra Button 5 w 21 43

5

66 Ground X 22 Ground 44

[0076] It is further to be noted that the control panel 124 duplicates the switches 118 to enable two players to play together. The control panel 124 includes additional USB ports 146 where players one and two can insert memory sticks/flash drives. In addition,

audio/microphone jacks (not shown) are included in the control panel 124. Two banks of joystick adjustment buttons or switches 150 are included to enable the two players to adjust the joysticks 138 to the preferred settings of each of the players.

[0077] In Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, two embodiments of gaming machines 72 are illustrated. The gaming machine 72 of Fig. 7 is an upright style arcade gaming machine having a cabinet 152 which houses the 10 board 10.

[0078] The control panel 124 includes the switches 118 but the timer 126 is built into the cabinet 152. The monitor 76 is a high definition LCD monitor which may be touch sensitive and, if so, permits the operator to provide user inputs by touch.

[0079] The cabinet 152 includes a storage compartment, closed off by a lockable door 154 in which the gaming console 20 to be used is located. A second compartment, also closed off by a lockable door 156, houses the hand control unit 22 associated with the selected gaming console 20. The coin-operated mechanism 128 is also housed in the cabinet 152 together with a cash box 158.

[0080] To improve the versatility of the gaming machine 72 still further and to enable different games to be played on the gaming machine 72, the control panel 124 is removable to be replaced by other control panels 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172 and 174.

[0081] The control panel 162 is used for a shooting-type game and includes guns 176. The control panel 164 is used for music playing-type games having user-operated buttons 178. The control panel 166 is for a driving-type game and includes a steering wheel-type control device 180, for each player, with pedal controls 182. In this regard, it is to be noted that a driving-type game could be played using the control panel 166 in the gaming machine 72 of Figs. 7 or 8 or, instead, it could be played on a dedicated gaming machine 188 such as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

[0082] The control panel 168 contains a pair of joysticks 184 for each player. The control panel 170 has two touchpads 186 for enabling players to enter commands by touch. The control panel 172 is a gaming keyboard panel having arrays of keys 188 for each player. Finally, a blank, customisable panel 174 is provided. [0083] The gaming machine 72 of Fig. 8 is, in most respects, the same as the gaming machine 72 of Fig. 7 and, with reference to Fig. 7 like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified. The gaming machine 72 of Fig. 8 is a sitdown- style gaming machine.

[0084] In this embodiment, the gaming console and its hand control unit are stored in a compartment behind a single, lockable door 154.

[0085] In use, the player or players connects the selected gaming console 20 to the IO board 10, as described above. Optionally, the player or players also connects the associated hand control unit 22 to the IO board 10. The consoles 20 and, if applicable, the hand control unit 22 are stored in the cabinet 152 of the gaming machine 72 after connection to the IO board 10. The audio and the video components of the gaming machine 72 are also connected to the IO board 10 and the gaming machine 72 is ready for play. It is also to be noted that the IO board 10 itself is located in a secure location within the cabinet 152 of the gaming machine 72. This facilitates the gaming machine 72 being left in an unsupervised location as the likelihood of tampering with the components of the gaming machine 72 is minimised.

[0086] The IO board 10 provides a plug and play solution where an operator can connect virtually any gaming console 20 or computer 24 to the IO board 10 of the gaming machine 72. The IO board 10 reads what gaming console 20 has been connected and converts signals which it receives from the switches 118 into the keystrokes/movements which that gaming console 20 normally receives and recognises from its associated control unit 22 or the controller module 18, as the case may be.

[0087] Since the IO board 10 is designed to work with the JAMMA harness 74, the operator connects the game console 20/control unit 22 directly to the IO board 10 and the IO board 10 handles all signal input conversions.

[0088] The operator therefore does not need to modify any wiring or have any technical knowledge to do so in order to improve the versatility of the gaming machine 72 and to allow a far wider variety of games to be played on the gaming machine 72. If the operator, at any stage, wishes to convert to the gaming machine 72 back to a simple arcade style gaming machine, this is simply done by removing the 10 board 10 and replacing it with a

conventional arcade game board.

[0089] Advantages of the present disclosure include:

• A unique universal multi-platform arcade style gaming machine compatible with numerous home gaming consoles, computer systems and existing commercial arcade game boards

• Industrial quality components and build to give machine longevity in a

commercial environment

• Ability to change between home gaming consoles, PCs and arcade game boards with ease (no extra wiring or modifications needed to be made to the gaming machine)

• IO board & control panel interchangeability allows users to update old arcade cabinets to latest gaming technology

• JAMMA wiring system with second wiring harness utilised throughout gaming machine which allows for simple connections and changes to be made

• Plug and play design, no technical skill required

• Coin operated or free play based modes of gaming available and can switch between to modes with ease

• Timer board function allowing the owner to set length of time for rental

• Home gaming console / computer system, display system, audio and video

driver equipment securely stored inside arcade machine

• Changing game is as simple as changing home console game disk/software title, or unplugging/plugging desired arcade game board due to IO board design

• Compatible with all video signal conversions and ability to change between different video signal formats with ease (no extra wiring or modifications needed to be made to the arcade machine)

• Compatible with all audio signal conversions and ability to change between different audio signal formats with ease (no extra wiring or modifications needed to be made to the arcade machine)

• Provides additional control panels (add-on accessory) to suit genre of game played, e.g.. gun panel, music panel, dedicated PC gaming panel, touchscreen panel, or the like • Can house and operate sensors compatible with home console gaming systems, computer systems and arcade game boards

• Provides space and connectivity for home console hand control units/computer system keyboard and mouse and headphones/microphones

• 10 Board can be easily upgradable to be compatible with future home gaming console systems, computer systems and arcade game boards

• Can be connected to the internet for online play

• Can be used as a standalone machine in an arcade environment without staff supervision

• Can work with wireless sensors and wireless controllers within the arcade

machine framework with all sensors being enclosed in the cabinet of the gaming machine

• Low cost solution to providing exposure to versatile arcade style gaming

machines compatible with a wide variety of games.

[0090] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A gaming machine controller which includes

an input module for connection of a gaming console;

a format-independent controller module responsive to the gaming console, the controller module being configured to convert game play control inputs into output signals for, and recognisable by, the gaming console to provide game play outcomes responsive to the game play control inputs.

2. The controller of claim 1 which includes a first connector for connecting

conventional arcade game functionality to the controller module and a second connector for connecting bespoke controls to the controller module to provide additional game play functionality.

3. The controller of claim 2 in which the first connector is a JAMMA-style multi-pin connector in communication with the controller module.

4. The controller of claim 2 or claim 3 in which the second connector is a multi-pin connector in communication with the controller module, the multi-pin connector providing connectivity for the additional game play functionality for playing a game.

5. The controller of claim 4 in which the additional controls include additional push buttons and at least one pointing device.

6. The controller of any one of the preceding claims which includes payment functionality connected to the controller module.

7. The controller of claim 6 in which the payment functionality includes a timer.

8. The controller of claim 7 in which the payment functionality is adjustable by an operator via the controller module.

9. The controller of any one of the preceding claims in which the input module is further configured for connection of a gaming console control unit associated with a particular gaming console.

10. A gaming machine which includes

a gaming machine controller as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and a control panel connected to the controller, the control panel containing at least one set of controls for enabling a player to control a game associated with the controller, the controls including at least one joystick, a plurality of buttons and a pointing device.

11. The gaming machine of claim 10 in which the control panel includes at least two sets of controls for enabling at least two players to play the game in competition with each other.

12. The gaming machine of claim 10 or claim 11 which includes a cabinet housing the controller, the control panel being removably mounted to the cabinet.

13. The gaming machine of claim 12 which includes a plurality of configurations of control panels, the different configurations of control panels being used for playing different types of games.