GAMING MACWNE _IT TIJUPLE_ MATERCONTRQLLERS BACKGRQJND 5 The present invention relates to gaming and slot machines games and more particularly relates to a gaming machine which has two independent controllers in the one machine More particularly the present invention relates to a gaming machine having at least two controllers which are capable of running games in a master slave relationship or 10 independently on one screen or independent games on separate screens in the same gaming machine cabinet. The invention further provides a gaming machine having at least two game controllers operating independently or in conjunction with each other increasing game options for a player but without increasing the cabinet volume or compromising space 15 efficiency of existing machine cabinets PRIOR ART There are already in existence a wide variety of gaming machine hardwares for use in slot and gaming machines. In order to achieve an edge over competitors, gaming 20 machine producers provide special game features in the hope of attracting player interest and which provide players with novel alternatives. In gaming, it is usually those features associated with jackpots or a perceived or actual increased probability of winning which are likely to attract player interest, An electronic poker machine will normally have one or two screen displays which are 25 controlled by one gaming machine controller contained in a gaming machine cabinet. The displays will usually include spinning reels which display symbols in numerous lines across the screen. The player can activate lines according to a player wager with the chances of winning increasing according to the lines selected and the amount bet. In addition to the-symbols display, the typical electronic machine display will include indicia 30 for the benefit of the player relating to the number of credits the player has, the amount wagered and periodic instructions which tell the player what the status of play is or what the player is to do next. The player typically does not have control over the jackpots or trigger conditions for feature game play. $ Within this framework, game providers have sought ways to make games more attractive players and which ensure that player interest will be maintained. Gaming hardware and software is designed to accommodate changes to the game content and presentation but it is the gaming machine controller which has a primary role in display of video and audio content presented to a player. A primary display may present various player attraction 10 materials according to game software included in the game controller. Conventional gaming machines have one controller which regulates one screen normally referred to as a. primary or main screen which displays a primary game feature. In the case of a machine having a secondary display which might include a bonus feature, this is also controlled by one controller. Conventional wisdom to date in the gaming 15 industry has been that it is sufficient to employ in a gaming machine one game controller, even in the case of primary or secondary games played on either a primary and/or secondary screen. Conventional gaming machine feature games are played when a trigger is activated usually in a main game. In the known game features, the player has no control over the 20 timing of the feature and a players luck becomes completely dependent upon the next few spins. Known game features are activated randomly and the player does not know when the game feature will be available nor what the criteria are to initiate the feature. These outcomes are normally determined by a game controller. Gaming machines having a main display present primary game play and outcome 25 information and having a secondary display, which is a video display present secondary information. Secondary game events have been provided as a variation on some gaming machines. Primary game information includes, for example, information about stages of game play such as a curency in stage in which the machine awaits a coin or bill insertion to initiate a play, a game play stage in which the player has initiated a play (e.g., spinning 2 reels on a slot machine), and a game result stage in which a payout or no-payout event is registered. Secondary game information includes information about slot tournaments, progressive games, bonusing schemes, and other incentives for 5 maintaining a player's interest or to play in a particular manner. Each of the primary game events results in displayed information, conventionally presented to the gaming machine user via a main display (e.g., the reels display). A known gaming machine having a single gaming machine controller is 10 disclosed in US Patent 6,315,666. In the such known machines, the main display is controlled electronically by a gaming machine controller, which main display presents the results of a play on the gaming machine. In the case of a slot machine, the main display may be the glass display through which the spinning reels of a game play are viewed. In a video poker gaming machine, the main display is usually a cathode ray 15 tube ("CRT") which displays a video game image to the player and other information directly associated with the game play. The secondary display may be provided at various locations on the gamine machine such as in a top glass portion of the gaming machine or a belly glass portion of the gaming machine, which belly glass portion is located below a main display portion of the gaming machine. The secondary display 20 itself may be a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube, a field emission display, a plasma display, a digital micromirror device (DMD), etc. A gaming machine typically includes both a main or primary display for displaying the outcome of a primary game and a secondary display for presenting 25 primary, secondary, or even "tertiary information". Tertiary information as used herein refers to information that is not directly related to the play of a primary or secondary game. Regardless of where the video display is located and how much space it occupies, it may introduce substantial flexibility in presenting primary and secondary information to actual and potential players. 30 A typical known gaming machine may be characterized as including a single gaming machine controller for controlling the outcome of a primary game played on 3 878913 the gaming machine and controlling the outcome of a bonus game also played on the gaming machine; a main display capable of presenting the outcome of the primary game play on the gaming machine; a secondary display provided on the gaming machine for displaying video content associated with the bonus game; and a slave 5 processing system for controlling display of the video content on the secondary display and coupled to the gaming machine controller. The slave processing system includes one or more of the following features: (a) RAM for temporarily storing video data; (b) one or more mass storage devices for storing the video data; (c) a system controller for accessing the mass storage devices and making the video content available to the RAM; 10 and (d) connections to external sources of video content. The slave processing system may further include (e) a graphics controller for providing video data directly to the secondary display; and (f) a video RAM directly coupled to the graphics controller and storing video data corresponding to video 15 content currently being displayed on the secondary display. The gaming machine controller; controls the outcome of a bonus game and presents the results of the play on the main display of the gaming machine; and controls display of video content associated with the bonus game on the secondary display with 20 the slave processing system. There has been a long felt want in the industry to provide a more versatile gaming machine and more particularly a gaming machine in which multiple games may be operated independently of each other. 25 A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that that document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. 30 4 878913 INVENTION Features of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following detailed description of the invention and the associated figures. 5 The present invention in one form provides an alternative to the known gaming and slot machines games and more particularly relates to a gaming machine which potentially has at least two controllers in the one machine which are each capable of running games independently on one screen or independent games on separate screens in the same gaming 10 machine cabinet. According to a preferred embodiment there are two controllers. The invention further provides gaming machine having two game controllers operating independently or in conjunction with each other increasing game options for a player but without increasing the cabinet volume or compromising either the space efficiency of existing 15 machine cabinets or the normal functions of a controller. A dual controller allows the possibility of play of a bonus or free game without "freezing" the primary game. According to one embodiment, there are provided two controllers the first of which runs a primary display and the second of which separately runs a 20 secondary display. In another embodiment, a first controller runs an independent game in a base box and a second controller runs a second independent game. The second independent display may display free games originating from a primary game but which when awarded operates independently of the primary game. In another embodiment, games in a top box display may operate independently of a game in a base or lower box but interact with games in 25 other top boxes. Preferably the dual controllers function independently of each other. 5 878913 One aspect of the invention provides a gambling machine comprising: a housing; a main display and a secondary display associated with the housing; and means to control game 5 play, wherein said means to control game play comprises two gaming machine control processors Operating independently or in conjunction with each other and respectively controlling a primary game on the main display and a secondary game on the secondary display. 10 Another aspect of the invention provides a method of operating a gaining machine comprising: a cabinet having a main display for displaying at least a primary game and a secondary display for displaying at least a secondary game, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first gaming machine control processor capable of controlling the primary game; b) providing a second gaming control processor capable of controlling said secondary 15 game independently of or in co-operation with said first gaming machine control processor; and c) activating the primary game controlled by the first gaming machine control processor mid triggering at least a bonus game operated by said second gaming machilno control processor'. 5 5 PAGE 7 HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 7 878913 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in more detail according to preferred but non limiting embodiments and with reference to the accompanying illustrations; wherein 5 Figure 1 shows a schematic layout according to one embodiment of a gaming machine control system having a dual screen master controller. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a typical gaming machine cabinet including a main game display and secondary or top box display. 8 878913 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the gaming machine of figure 2 with door open revealing a logic cage for housing logic boards. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of logic cage for the gaming machine of figure 3 having multiple logic boards according to one embodiment. 5 Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a top box for a gaming machine having a dual screen master controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 10 The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same item. The typical gaming machine includes an upstanding box shaped housing , with various accessories such as a coin collection trough mounted on a lower front surface of the housing. The machine also generally includes a lower door and an upper panel. The lower door normally includes a 15 panel or belly glass which contains artwork and graphics pertaining to the game or games to be played on the machine. The lower door may also includes a conventional bill validator entrance slot and a lock box access door which may be hingedly mounted along its lower length so thai the lock box access door may be opened without opening the lower door. The lower door may be swung open about a hinge ( see figure 3). 20 Figure 1 shows a schematic layout I according to one embodiment of a gaming machine control system. having a dual screen master controller. The block diagram of figure 1 shows processor boards connected to a single backplane board. The connections from each processor board to its respective monitor and 1/0 devices are separate. The two 25 processor boards communicate to each other via the inter board communication channel. In one layout according to the invention there is provided a main screen 2 having a main screen controlling processor board 3 which operates game functions on main screen 2 and which is connected to a backplane/ mother board 4. A second screen 5 which is normally associated with a top box is controlled by a second processor board 6 also interfaced with 9 mother board 4. Main screen 2 has associated with it conventional gaming machine accessories such as but not limited to switches, audio, lights, printer, coin acceptor, note acceptor hopper. Likewise second screen 5 has associated with it conventional gaming machine accessories such as but not limited to switches, audio, lights, printer, coin 5 acceptor, note acceptor, hopper identified by box 12. Mother board 4 is powered via power supply 7 according to conventional means. Main screen processor board 3 is connected to mother board 4 via connection 8 which is separate from connection 9 to main screen 2 input /output devices 12. Likewise, second or top screen processor board 6 is connected to mother board 4 via connection 10 10 which is separate from connection 11 to second screen 5 input /output devices 13. Processor boards 3 and 6 communicate to each other via an interboard communication channel 14 associated with the mother board 4. The screens 2 and 5 may be operated according to one embodiment either by touch control on each screen or touch control on both screens. 15 Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a gaming machine 20 including dual screen master controllers ( inside the machine). Typically, gaming machine 20 comprises a gaming machine cabinet 21 which comprises a main display 22 and a secondary or top box 23. Top box 23 includes a display screen 24 which is preferably an LCD monitor 20 Cabinet 21 further comprises a conventional button panel 19 which operates game functions on main display 22, conventional art work on lower access panel 25, ticket coin tray 26 main door catch 27 and main door lock 28. Main display 22 further comprises a monitor mask 29 and speakers 30 built into the monitor mask. Top box 23 includes a player tracking area 31 and mechanical meters 32. Apart from the dual 25 controllers which are concealed machine 20 comprises hardware common to conventional machines. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of gaming machine 20 of figure 2 with corresponding numbering for corresponding parts and including a logic cage for housing 10 logic boards. Gaming machine 20 is shown with front opening door 33 exploded from cabinet 21 revealing internal components of cabinet 21. Gaming machine cabinet 21 includes a main display 22 ( preferably a flat screen LCD monitor) located centrally and secondary or top box 23 located adjacent and above main display screen 22 and which 5 includes display screen 24 which is preferably an LCD monitor. Cabinet 21 further comprises an internal space which houses known hardware such as DC power supply 34, main power switch 35, hopper 36, note acceptor 37 speaker gril 38 and ticket printer 39. Game operation is typically driven by a logic module 40 which normally contains a logic board which controls game operation. 10 Figure 4 shows an exploded view of logic cage 50 for the gaming machine of figure 3 having first logic board 51 ( upper display) and second logic board 52 ( lower display) which are respectively held in logic trays 53 and 54 according to one embodiment. This arrangement provides a dual master controller for a dual display gaming machine. In a 15 typical layout there is provided a main screen (not shown) linked via a back plane mother board 55. Logic board 52 operates game functions on the main screen and which is connected to a mother board 55. A second screen ( not shown) and which is normally associated with a top box is controlled by second processor board 51 also interfaced with mother board 55. Logic cage 50 also comprises a conventional main power switch 56, 20 Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a. typical top box 60 comprising a housing 61. housing 61 receives and retains therein and LCD monitor 62 which is typically set in position with frame 63. In general, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hardware normally found in existing gaming machines is present and the main 25 difference between the known machines and a machine according to the invention is the addition of separate logic boards which control respective screens. Main screens and secondary screens are known prior art but these are normally controlled with one main controller and another slave. controller which has placed limitations on the use of the screens and more particularly on the way they can interact not only mutualy but with a 11 C'lAA InI" d M- QRNA li lflQAl4 Dar.,iu.A I-. ID A. mi-s Tim,. /W1-Ym\ 4~lf fl-A .I"" V-AA.rI\ OAAfl A~/_Al gaming machine player. The invention described above according to one embodiment, provides the flexibility of having multiple controllers. An additional logic board allows wider versatility in the processing of games and not only 5 introduces a wider control but games may be operated independently in that a secondary game need not be reliant upon an outcome or command from a primary game. Although not shown in the drawings, the present invention contemplates that a plurality of game control buttons which may be manually depressed may be disposed in various 10 locations about the lower door or associated with the upper display 24 ( fig 3) along with touch screen capability. According to an alternative embodiment, buttons may be used as an alternative to a manually activated touch screen control system, or alternatively, to supplement a manually activated touch screen control system. Accordingly, to operate the machine according to the invention having a multiple controller a variety of alternative 15 means to operate the machine are contemplated such as but not limited to single or dual button panels, dual touch screens or a combination of both Preferably, processors are integrated into a controller and main or mother board with the former responsible for interfacing to the electromechanical devices associated with the 20 play of a game, while lhe mother/main board is normally responsible for implementing the actual game play. This dual board architecture permits different mother/main boards to be utilized to interface to the electromechanical game hardware. As such different games may be played by simply replacing the mother/main board within the same mechanical chassis. The gaming machine may be re configured to allow play of different 25 game types by changing button panels or other means of operation to allow the different game types an regimes. 12 (TfnRAQZ Ifl KIn QPNRIAfl1VrQA1 Da... a-A K,, ID A. ,frIir T;-- /Wm-\ 1flflf fl~fo (V-AAA\ ')fltrhfl7flr The mother/main board 4 ( figure) may also regulate such operations as a progressive jackpot meter or display, incrementing a meter according to certain commands and decrementing the meter according to other commands when the jackpot is won. In such an embodiment, the controller logic boards ( shown as 3. 6 of figure 1; 51 and 52 5 of figure 4) will each include an electrical interface to connect directly to the mother/main board, such as through a parallel port interface- or a variety of interfaces not limited to but including parallel and/or USB. Conventional gaming machine are capable of an arrangement whereby a group of 10 gaming machines may communicate information among their respective mother/main boards. In a master/slave relationship, one machine might provide game data, while the others would simply provide a mechanical interface. This master/slave relationship may includes the further benefits of a dual screen master controller which includes separate processors for each screen on each gaming machine in the group. Thus the dual 15 controllers according to the invention may be integrated into existing hardware configurations and groups of gaming machines. The present invention allows known functions to -be performed and allows the versatility of independent and/or interdependent control of each game. 20 While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein such as using more than two logic processors. There are number of advantages which result from the implementation of the invention 25 and particularly from the use of at least two logic processors in conjunction with conventional hardware. I Free or bonus games may be sent to the second processor and a player may continue playing a primary game while free games are played out. 13 2 A. player may accumulate free games then play them at will and without freezing the primary game play. Thus a player may play free or bonus games yet be accumulating further free games on a primary game. 3 A player may be permitted to transfer wins to a top box controller and then play a 5 double up 100% return game. 4 A player may select either an upper or lower game to interact with and set betting options separately for each game. Each game could be played together but independently (both at once) or one game may be selected for play on its own. 5 The player may be provided with buttons or touch screens for upper and lower games 10 which allow play of the games concurrently or one or the other game. 6 Another option is that a player may opt to play two games concurrently but only receive a payout on the best of those two games 7 The player may play the game on an upper controller and then interactively play games on the lower controller while the upper controller resolves game outcomes. 15 In the case where each game could be played together but independently ( both at once) or one game may be selected for play on its own the results of the upper controller game may be generated in a central server for use across an entire bank, club network or state (eg keno). Another option is to allow a player an additional bet to activate a game on the upper 20 controller that runs independently of the lower game. A trigger may be provided to initiate an upper game which determines its own outcome and awards this prize to the player. All of the participating machines in a bank, club, network may award free spins . An upper controller may determine that a certain amount of play has been conducted without a significant win and triggers a bonus game. 25 According to one embodiment the dual controller gaming machine allows two players to play against each other ( such as in a tournament) or both playing a against a dealer (blackjack, Carribean saud, poker for example). This may be established as a progressive or free game sequence. With a minimum of two boards a mini multi terminal master/ slave multi terminal configuration may be implemented machine. 14 A dual controller machine may provide for on line betting for TAB money coming from a main credit meter. In another embodiment, additional touch screens button panels light boxes led signs even network protocols from the second controller to off load the main 5 controller may be used. A note changer may be used in the top box to change $50 notes into $10 notes. In another embodiment, a dispenser may be provided in the top box for a variety of consumer products which may be run by a second controller. In another embodiment, the second controller board 51 ( figure 4) may be default activated in the event of a failure of the first board during play of the main game. 10 In another embodiment, gaming security may be improved by ensuring that a payout on a game enabled by one controller is cross checked by the second controller with agreement between the two required before a payout is made. In another embodiment media may be run on the second screen wherein a host venue may use the screen for promotional purposes. There may be provided MPEG streaming over Ethernet to the top box to allow 15 a player to select from a number of channels such as but not limited to sport news and /or closed circuit channels. The media streaming could also be used in conjunction with sports betting (including TAB) . Also back betting may be allowed on other machines in the bank. The secondary processor may monitor the outcomes of other machines games and award credits accordingly. 20 According to another embodiment the upper controller may allow the display of progressive jackpots and allow a player to select the progressives they want to play for. The more they select the less contributions go to each jackpot but the number of available win progressives are increased. The second controller board handles progressive selection 25 and display. According to another embodiment, each screen may be adapted to time out in the event that a player delays beyond a predetermined time period in selecting a screen or game. This may be judged by leaving the screen for say more than one minute with no credits. f/"lAAC I" Mr - QP Afl_ V QAA4 D 4An k, ID A..-I-- "T;m /I-m\ 10-CA r--n IVfRAA\ ')f)nnh .7fr This overcomes the disadvantage of leaving the machine unplayed for too long while the player selects the game regime. Preferably the screens will include an icon for allowing a player to exit a selection 5 screen. It will be recognized by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention. 10 15 20 256