AU766348B2 - Centralised cash control equipment port sharing in an X-Series electronic gaming device - Google Patents

Description

I C' 1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Netir'zPen P G 'nr~ Lut 9, I zl 0C on L6&v'e- Steven Brian Johnson CULLE CO., Pat Tr e Markorneys, 9 Geepre Str Brisne, Qld. 4000, Astrapa.

Cre-%rv~, -l&9 Invention Title: Centralised Cash Control Equipment Port Sharing in an X-Series Electronic Gaming Device Details of Associated Provisional Application: Australian Patent Application No.

PQ7602 filed 18 May 2000 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: This invention relates to a system for allowing multiple subsidiary devices to be connected to an X-SERIES electronic gaming device (EGD) through the centralised cash control equipment (CCCE) port. In particular, the invention is directed to method and apparatus for enabling multiple subsidiary equipment interfaces to share a single CCCE port, which has been designed to interface only with a single subsidiary equipment device.

BACKGROUND ART An EGD, such as a poker machine, normally has an interface port known as the CCCE port or P1 port. The purpose of this port is to allow a single centralised cash control system to transfer money to and from an EGD.

That is, a player's account on the EGD is electronically credited or debited by the desired amount. This interface has been specified by a regulatory authority (namely the New South Wales (NSW) Liquor Administration Board) and is present in X-SERIES gaming machines approved for use in NSW. The specification for this port is stated in the document entitled "Technical Standards for Gaming Machines and Subsidiary Equipment in New South Wales" available from that Board, and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

In a typical CCCE system, an operator of a gaming establishment can instigate a transfer of money to or from an EGD at the request or need of the player of the EGD. Usually this will be at the start and end of a players gaming session on an EGD. A key aspect of this arrangement is that each transfer is manually instigated by an operator.

This arrangement is currently in use in NSW gaming establishments and various systems have been created to perform this duty.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that once the CCCE port is utilised for its intended purpose, no other system that may be able to transfer money directly to or from an EGD can be used. Further the current regulations disallow the use of this port for anything other than its originally 3 intended function due to the inherent inability to operate with multiple systems.

The CCCE design does not permit simple switching procedures and circuits to be used, as they defeat the CCCE protocol and prevent normal CCCE operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a transparent method of interfacing multiple systems to the same CCCE port without changing or modifying the existing CCCE system or re-defining the design concepts of the CCCE port.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one broad form, the invention provides apparatus for enabling two or more systems to communicate with a centralised cash control I equipment (CCCE) port of an electronic gaming device (EGD), said apparatus being adapted to be connected to the systems and the CCCE port in use, characterised in that the apparatus includes control means for automatically determining when each system may communicate with the port exclusively.

In another form, the invention provides a method for enabling two or more systems to communicate at different times with a centralised cash control equipment (CCCE) port of an electronic gaming device (EGD), characterised in that the method includes the step of automatically determining when each system may communicate with the port to the S. exclusion of the other system(s).

The systems may include a primary CCCE system and one or more secondary CCCE systems, or simply one or more secondary CCCE systems.

Typically, if there is a primary CCCE system, the apparatus gives control of communications with the CCCE port to the primary CCCE system, and will only transfer control of communications with the CCCE port to a secondary CCCE system when such communication is required by the secondary CCCE system and the primary CCCE system is not otherwise communicating with the port.

In a first embodiment, the apparatus is connected, in use, to the CCCE port of an EGD, a CCCE secondary system, and a primary (or other secondary) CCCE system. The apparatus includes control means connected to the CCCE secondary system and the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system in order to detect transfers to or from the respective systems; first switch means connected between the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system and the CCCE port, the first switch means being controllable by the control means to selectively connect the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system to the CCCE port; and second switch means connected between the CCCE secondary system and the CCCE port, the second switch means being controllable by the control means to selectively connect the CCCE secondary system to the CCCE port; the control means being adapted to open the first switch means to disconnect the primary (or other secondary)CCCE system ofrom the CCCE port when there are no CCCE transfers between the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system'and the CCCE port, and to close the •second switch means to connect the CCCE secondary system to the CCCE port to permit CCCE transfer therebetween.

Typically, the first switch means is normally closed and the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system is connected to the CCCE port. If the control means receives a transfer request signal from the CCCE secondary system, the control means determines whether there is any current CCCE transfer between the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system and the CCCE port. If there is a transfer in progress, the first switch means remains closed. If not, the first switch means is opened, and the second switch means (which is normally open) is closed to permit CCCE transfers between the secondary CCCE system and the CCCE port. Preferably, the control means only closes the second switch means for the duration of the CCCE transfer with the secondary CCCE system. As soon as that transfer is completed, the second switch means is opened, and the first switch means is closed.

In another embodiment, the control means is connected, in use, to the CCCE port, a secondary CCCE system, and a primary (or other secondary) CCCE system. The control means selectively passes communications between the CCCE port and a respective one of the secondary CCCE system and the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system.

The control means is responsive to communications from the secondary CCCE system and the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system to determine which CCCE system is to communicate with the CCCE port to the exclusion of all other CCCE system(s).

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into effect, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS :i Fig. 1 is a block diagram of CCCE sharing apparatus according .I to a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a flow chart for a method by which the secondary CCCE system of Fig. 1 negotiates CCCE transfers with the primary CCCE system, Fig. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the apparatus of Fig.

1, Fig. 4 is a flow chart for a method for sharing a CCCE port utilised by a CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit according to a second embodiment, Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the second embodiment, and ee Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an alternative version of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a first embodiment, illustrated schematically in Figs. 1 to 3, a single CCCE sharing apparatus 12 is connected to a CCCE port 11 of an electronic gaming device (EGD). 10. (The CCCE port 11 is designed to be connected normally to a single primary CCCE system). The CCCE sharing apparatus 12 is connected to a primary CCCE system 13 and a secondary CCCE system 16. In other words, the CCCE sharing apparatus 12 is interconnected between the CCCE port 11 and the primary CCCE system 13, and the CCCE sharing apparatus 12 also has a connection to a secondary CCCE system 16.

The primary CCCE system 13 may instead be another secondary CCCE system. Alternatively, one (or more) secondary CCCE systems 16A, each with a respective CCCE sharing apparatus 12A, may be connected between the CCCE sharing apparatus 12 and the primary CCCE system 13 as shown in Fig. 6.

The CCCE sharing apparatus 12 of Fig. 1 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3. The CCCE sharing apparatus 12 has switching means 14 connected between the CCCE port 11 and the primary CCCE system 13. The switching means is normally closed so that the primary CCCE system 13 is connected to the CCCE port 11. When the switching means 14 is opened, the primary CCCE system 13 is disconnected from the CCCE port 11.

The CCCE sharing apparatus 12 also includes a CCCE negotiation unit 15 which is connected between the switching means 14 and the primary CCCE system 13. The CCCE negotiation unit 15 passively detects and understands communications between the primary CCCE system 13 and the CCCE port 11.

The CCCE negotiation unit 15 is also connected to the secondary CCCE system 16 which has means of signalling the CCCE negotiation unit 15 when a CCCE operation between the CCCE secondary system 16 and the CCCE port 11 is required.

The CCCE sharing apparatus 12 also has switch means 18 for connecting the CCCE secondary system 16 to the CCCE port 11 of the EGD to permit communications therebetween. Normally, the switch means 18 is open so that the CCCE secondary system is disconnected from the CCCE port 11.

As depicted diagrammatically in the flowchart of Fig. 2, when the secondary CCCE system 16 wishes to perform a CCCE transfer, it transmits a request signal 17 to the CCCE negotiation unit 15. The CCCE Negotiation unit 15 determines whether a CCCE transfer is taking place between the primary CCCE system 13 and the port 11, by using its capability to passively detect and understand messages sent to and from the primary CCCE system 13. When it establishes that no CCCE transfers are taking place to or from the primary CCCE system 13, it signals the switch means 14 to disconnect the primary CCCE system 13 from the CCCE port 11, and switch means 18 then connects the CCCE port 11 the secondary CCCE system 16 making the request.

The secondary CCCE system 16 then has control over the CCCE communications with the EGD and is free to instigate its CCCE transfer. The EGD 10 will send a message to its CCCE device. As the secondary CCCE system 16 has now been connected to the CCCE port :i instead of the primary CCCE system 13, the secondary CCCE system 16 will receive the CCCE message from the EGD 10 and can start its transfer. Upon completion of the CCCE transfer, the secondary CCCE system 16 terminates its signal 17 to the CCCE Negotiation unit 15. The CCCE Negotiation unit signals the switch means 18 to disconnect the CCCE secondary system 18, and signals the switching means 14 to reconnect the primary CCCE system 13 to the CCCE port 11. The primary CCCE system 13 may then instigate any CCCE transfers it requires.

In another embodiment, illustrated schematically in Fig. 5, a CCCE sharing apparatus 23 is connected to a CCCE port 20 of an electronic :gaming device (EGD) 19. The CCCE port 20 would normally be connected to a primary CCCE system. In this embodiment however, the primary CCCE system (or other secondary CCCE system) 21 is connected to the CCCE sharing apparatus 23, as is a secondary CCCE system 24.

The CCCE Sharing Apparatus includes a CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit 22 that is directly connected to each of the CCCE Port 20 and systems 21 24. All CCCE communications from the port 20 is received by the CCCE Negotiate Repeater Unit 22. The CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit 22 passes all received information to the intended recipient. The CCCE Negotiation and Repeater Unit 22 performs the actual CCCE transfer to the 8 CCCE Port 20, by echoing received messages from the primary CCCE system 21 or secondary CCCE system 24 to the CCCE Port The CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit 22 determines the connection of the secondary CCCE system 24 and the primary CCCE system 21, by selectively routing information from the CCCE port 20 to one or both CCCE systems 21 and 24.

In particular, when the CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit 22 detects a CCCE transfer from the primary CCCE System 21 (and CCCE transfers for the primary CCCE System 21 are not otherwise blocked), it blocks all transfers from the secondary CCCE System 24 until the completion of the full CCCE transaction sequence. Transfers from the secondary CCCE system 24 are unblocked when the CCCE transaction sequence of the primary CCCE system 21 is complete.

When the CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit 22 detects a 15 CCCE transfer from the secondary CCCE System 24 (and CCCE transfers are not otherwise blocked for the secondary CCCE System 24), it blocks all transfers from the primary CCCE System 21 until the completion of the full CCCE transaction sequence. Transfers from the primary CCCE system 21 are unblocked when the CCCE transaction sequence of the secondary CCCE system 24 is complete.

Either the primary CCCE system 21 or secondary CCCE system 24 may require information from the EGD 19 about the full amounts transferred to or from their respective system 21 or 24. The EGD 19 would normally send the combined total amounts of all systems 21 and 24. The CCCE Negotiate and Repeater unit 22 can therefore maintain individual transfer amounts for each system as each transfer completes, and modify the individually repeated messages to the respective CCCE system 21, 24 such that the amount of all transfers reflects the individual transfers from each system 21 and 24 and not the combined total as sent by the EGD 19.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined 9 in the claims hereof.

S e of e

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for enabling two or more systems to communicate with a centralised cash control equipment (CCCE) port of an electronic gaming device (EGD), said apparatus being adapted to be connected to the systems and the CCCE port in use, characterised in that the apparatus includes control means for automatically determining when each system may communicate with the port exclusively.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the systems include a primary CCCE system and one or more secondary CCCE systems, further characterised in that, in use, the control means normally connects the primary CCCE system to the CCCE port to enable communication therebetween, but when the secondary CCCE system requires communication with the CCCE port and the primary CCCE system is not otherwise communicating with the CCCE port, the control means disconnects the primary CCCE system from 15 the CCCE port and connects the secondary CCCE system to the CCCE port to permit only the secondary CCCE system to communicate with the CCCE port.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the systems include two or more secondary CCCE systems.

4. A method for enabling two or more systems to communicate at different times with a centralised cash control equipment (CCCE) port of an electronic gaming device (EGD), characterised in that the method includes the step of automatically determining when each system may communicate with the port to the exclusion of the other system(s).

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the systems include a primary CCCE system and one or more secondary CCCE systems, said method including the steps of connecting the primary CCCE system to the CCCE port to enable communication therebetween, automatically disconnecting the primary CCCE system from the CCCE port when the secondary CCCE system requires communication with the CCCE port and the primary CCCE system is not otherwise communicating with the CCCE port, and connecting the secondary CCCE system to the CCCE port to enable 11 communication therebetween.

6. Apparatus for enabling two or more systems to communicate electronically at different times with a single centralised cash control equipment (CCCE) port of an electronic gaming device (EGD), the systems including a CCCE secondary system, and a primary (or other secondary) CCCE system, the apparatus including first switch means adapted to connect the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system to the CCCE port, second switch means adapted to connect the CCCE secondary system to the CCCE port, and control means for enabling and disabling communications between the CCCE port and the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system, and between the CCCE port and the CCCE secondary system, wherein the first and second switch means are operable by the control means to permit the :i systems to communicate exclusively with the CCCE port at different times.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first switch means 15 is normally closed to permit communication between the primary (or other secondary) CCCE system and the CCCE port, and the second switch means is normally open to disable communications between the CCCE secondary system and the CCCE port.

S-8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control means is responsive to a transfer request signal from the CCCE secondary system to open the first switch means and close the second switch means, but only if there is no communication in progress between the primary (or other .'.-.secondary) CCCE system and the CCCE port.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein upon conclusion of the communication between the CCCE secondary system and the secondary CCCE port, the second switch means is opened and the first switch means is closed by the control means.

Apparatus for enabling a plurality of systems to communicate electronically with a centralised cash control equipment (CCCE) port of an electronic gaming device (EGD), said apparatus having a plurality of ports connected respectively to the CCCE port and the plurality of systems, the apparatus including control means for selectively enabling communication to pass between the CCCE port and a respective one of the plurality of systems.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control means gives preference to communications between the CCCE port and a first one of the plurality of systems, the control means only enabling communications to pass between the CCCE port and another one of the plurality of systems when required by that other system and there is otherwise no communication between the first system and the CCCE port.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the control means includes electronic switching means for electronically connecting and disconnecting the systems to the CCCE port.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the control means includes means for receiving communications from the CCCE port and relaying said communications to a selected one of the systems, and vice versa. 15

14. Apparatus for permitting centralised cash control equipment port sharing in an electronic gaming device, said apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, or Figs. 1 to 3 as modified by Fig. 6, or Figs. 4 and 5, of the accompanying drawings. A method of permitting centralised control equipment port sharing in an electronic gaming device, substantially as hereinbefore described. DATED this eighteenth day of May 2001 S" Nez ,ny. Py Ltd ,IN By their Patent Attorneys P SEC Cullen Co. 113