BG61888B1 - Controller for gaming machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The controller can be used in automated gambling and otherelectronic game machines. It has better data protection as well ofthe software included in it, has greater efficiency, thecollection of turnovers is automated and there are facilities forincluding it into a network for centralized control and automaticaccumulation of a jackpot formed simultaneously by several gamingmachines. The controller consists of a maintenance supply battery(1), microprocessor with permanent and operative storage withsingle-chip microcomputer (12) having a memory for electroniccounting (2) connected to it, standard-type organized periphery(3) containing port for gaming and functional buttons (4), portfor coin-container and A.T.M. (5), sound controller (6) withamplifiers and output drivers (7), videomemory (8),videocontroller (9), graphic memory (10) and videomonitor (11)control. The electronic counting memory is connected to acontroller for automatic collection (13) connected to a digitaldisplay (14) and to the single-chip microcomputer (12) which iscoupled by first data control bus to microprocessor (15), the datainput of which is connected to the output of a unit for theidentification of electronic switches (16) coupled to a seat of alock (17) for receiving electronic switches. Microprocessor (15)is connected by a second data-controlling bus to an electronicclock (18). Battery (1) is coupled to supply input for maintainingclock (18) and microprocessor (15) the third data-controlling busof which is coupled to an energy independent memory (19) connectedby another data-controlling bus to the single-chip microcomputer(12).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a gaming machine controller applicable in the field of automated gambling and other electronic games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known controller for gaming machines, consisting of a microprocessor with type-related mechanical counters, a permanent and random access memory with a supporting battery to it, and type-organized peripherals, containing a port for gaming and function buttons with mechanical locks-switches at the entrance its function buttons, coin and ATM port, sound controller with amplifiers and output drivers, as well as video memory, video controller, graphics memory and video monitor controls [1].

A disadvantage of the known slot machine controller is that it has reduced security of the information and the software contained therein, which allows for uncontrolled external interference to alter data and programs. It is also of low efficiency due to the manual collection of revolutions individually for each gaming machine equipped with the controller. In addition, the controller has little capability since it is only suitable for standalone slot machines, which prevents the automatic accumulation of jackpots formed by several slot machines at a time.

The object of the invention is to create a controller for gaming machines with increased security of information and the software contained therein, increased efficiency and automated collection of speeds, and the possibility of connection to a network for centralized management and automatic accumulation of jackpots formed by several gaming machines at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task is solved by creating a controller for gaming machines, which consists of a supporting battery, microprocessor with permanent and random access memory, connected to it counters, as well as type organized peripherals. containing a port for gaming and functional push. coin and ATM port, sound controller with amplifiers and output drivers, as well as video memory, video controller, graphics memory and video monitor controls. The permanent and operative microprocessor is a full-chip microcomputer, and the counters are an electronic counting memory connected to an automatic collection controller connected to a digital display and to a single-chip microprocessor that is connected via a first microprocessor control bus. whose information input is connected to the output of an electronic key recognition block. plugged into a socket for receiving electronic keys. The microprocessor is connected via a second information-control bus to an electronic clock. The battery is connected to the power inputs to support the clock and microprocessor. whose third information-control bus is connected to non-volatile memory connected via another information-control bus to the single-chip microcomputer.

The advantage of the gaming machine controller is that it has improved security of the information and software included in it, increased efficiency and automated collection of speeds, and the ability to plug into a network for centralized management and automatic accumulation of jackpots formed by several gaming machines at the same time.

Description of the attached figures

In more detail, the invention is illustrated by an exemplary embodiment of the gaming board controller shown in the accompanying figure, which is a block diagram of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention

The slot machine controller consists of a supporting battery 1, a microprocessor with permanent and random access memory, with counters 2 connected thereto, and a type organized periphery 3 comprising a port for gaming and function buttons 4, a coin port and an ATM 5, a sound controller 6 with amplifiers and output drivers 7, as well as video memory 8, video controller 9, graphics memory 10, and video monitor control 11. The microprocessor with permanent and operative memory is a single-chip microcomputer 12, and the counters 2 are electronic counting memory connected to the control automatic encashment ep 13 connected to a digital display 14 and to a single-chip microcomputer 12 which is connected via a first microprocessor control information bus 15 whose information input is connected to the output of an electronic key recognition unit 16 connected to a socket 17 for receiving electronic keys. The microprocessor 15 is connected via a second information-control bus to an electronic clock 18. The battery 1 is connected to the power inputs for maintenance of the clock 18 and the microprocessor 15, whose third information-control bus is connected to a non-volatile memory 19, connected through another information-control bus with single chip microcomputer 12.

Application of the invention

The action of the gaming machine controller is the following:

Since the microprocessor 15 and the clock 18 are maintained in battery condition 1, the power supply to the controller is switched off, the microprocessor 15 monitors continuously for unauthorized attempts to access data in the nonvolatile memory 19.

After initial switching on of the gaming machine in which the controller is installed, internal testing of the system is automatically activated. The microprocessor 15 tests the program memory in the one-chip microcomputer 12 and the non-volatile memory 19. If it is found that while the gaming machine has been switched off, there has been an unauthorized attempt to access the data in the nonvolatile memory 19, the microprocessor 15 communicates to the single-chip microcomputer 12. its periphery 3 displays the time and date of this access to the monitor of the machine, beeps and blocks further operation of the machine.

When the program memory in a single-chip microcomputer 12 and the reliability of the data in the non-volatile memory 19 are established, the single-chip microcomputer 12 tests all blocks from its periphery. When full testing has determined that the controller is upright, the system is ready for functional setup or play.

In functional tuning, after an electronic key is inserted into the keyhole 17, for example, a chip tablet that is recognizable by the electronic key recognition unit 16, the microprocessor 15 records the event in the non-volatile memory 19, simultaneously with the clock and the date coming from the clock 18. The presence of the electronic key recognition unit 16 also allows different keys to be distinguished, such as the croupier, the manager and the owner, whereby depending on the key rank Essor 15 permits single-chip microcomputer 12 rank access to data in non-volatile memory 19 and the memory of the electronic counting 2.

When the croupier operates with an electronic key, the only access allowed is through the button of the gaming machine (not shown in the figure), through the port for game and function buttons 4 to enter a credit command for the player, which credit is recorded by the microcomputer 12, dated in the memory 19 and with the accumulation in the turnover of the memory for electronic counting 2. The second and last access to the croupier is when the event "profit", reflected on the display of the machine in a proper way, to enter in a similar way the command are accounting for the payment o It does not profit the player who also registers in both memories. In a mode where the crediting of the games is made automatically by commands received through the coin port and ATM 5 and the payment of winnings is also made automatically by commands from the one-chip microcomputer 12 submitted through the same port 5 to the coin or ATM (not shown in the figure), the croupier is denied access.

When the controller operates via an electronic key recognized by the block 16, the controller has the option to submit a command for periodic turnover through the gaming and function buttons 4, whereby the single-chip microcomputer 12 through the automatic collection controller 13 enables the turnover data from the electronic counting memory 2 to be displayed on the digital display 14. When judged by the manager, he may similarly send a command to pay the net turnover accumulated in full or in a certain amount, then which by command of the single-chip microcomputer 12 and port management coin and ATM 5 directs these devices for making the payment, and the event is recorded for accounting purposes in non-volatile memory 19 and is reflected in the memory of the electronic counting 2.

When the owner or the person authorized by him acts with an electronic key, a command shall similarly be given to report on all transactions performed by the croupier and manager for a specified period of time, most often after the date of the last report. Then, at the command of the microprocessor 15, the single-chip microcomputer 12 processes the information from the non-volatile memory 19 and the memory for electronic counting 2 and submits the summary results through the type periphery 3 for displaying the video game machine monitor (not shown in the figure), as well as through the controller for the automatic controller. to a print device (not shown in the figure) that can be turned on as needed.

The automatic collection controller 13 allows several slot machines to be connected in a hierarchical network to a host computer (not shown in the figure). In this case, displaying the result of the collection can be centralized.

In game mode, when a specific game program, such as poker, is stored in the memory of a single-chip microcomputer 12, the game can only begin when credit is granted to the player in one of the above ways. The single-chip microcomputer 12 visualizes and sounds through its typical periphery 3 the game in accordance with the program provided therein. At the same time, it allows commands to be received from the game buttons via port 4. The player has the opportunity to enter a pledge as part of the received credit through the appropriate command. Then, in the main game, the one-chip microcomputer 12 randomly displays five cards dealt to the player through its periphery 3 on the monitor and reduces its credit by the amount of the bet declared. The single-chip microcomputer 12, in accordance with the rules of poker, immediately assesses the presence or absence of profit for the combination of the five cards dealt. In the case of a profit through its type peripheral 3, it highlights the winning cards, beeps and displays the amount of the winnings.

If the player wishes to receive their winnings and give them a command, the microcomputer 12 commands through the port 5 to the coin or ATM to pay the profit plus the return of available credit, while registering in the non-volatile memory 19 and in the electronic counting memory 2 the event that has occurred.

The player can submit a command to terminate the main game without receiving his win, whereby the one-chip microcomputer 12 adds his winnings to his current credit and the player can start a new main game again.

If the player does not wish to terminate the game after the first hand, he is in any case entitled to pass through port 4 a command to the microcomputer 12 for which cards he discards. Immediately thereafter, in accordance with the rules, the microcomputer 12 randomly distributes as many cards as it throws and displays them on the monitor from the rest of the standard deck. The following is an estimate of the presence or absence of a winning combination.

In the absence of such a winning combination, the microcomputer 12 terminates the game and reduces the amount of credit by the value of the bet. In this case, the player may start a new main game or discontinue use of the slot machine, whereupon he / she will receive the remainder of the credit and the event is accounted for as described.

When several slot machines are connected to the network via the automatic cash collection controllers 13, a jackpot accumulation mode is possible under certain rules from the turnover of all slot machines. In this case, the jackpot amount data is continuously fed through the automatic collection controller 13 to the microcomputer 12, which displays them through the periphery of the slot machine monitor to the player. When at any stage of the game a combination of cards with maximum winnings is obtained, the microcomputer 12 sends appropriate commands to visualize and signal the event and to pay the player's jackpot. If there is not enough money in the coin or ATM of the respective machine, the microcomputer sends a call signal to an official - the croupier or manager, who pays the amount to the player in cash and enters the payment information via the electronic key as described above.

When the slot machines are online, a mode of play is possible between two or more players according to the rules of classic poker, when after each hand a betting between the players is possible, which is registered by the controller as described.

When there is a winning combination after the second hand, the player may terminate the game by adding the winnings to his credit, or submit an additional play command to multiply the winnings by a certain number of playing steps. At each end of the game, actions are taken to register winnings and losses in the ways described above.

Claims (1)

1. A slot machine controller consisting of a supporting battery, a microprocessor20 with permanent and operative memory, with counters connected thereto, and a type-organized periphery comprising a port for gaming and function buttons, a coin port and 5 ATMs, a sound controller with amplifiers and output drivers, as well as video memory, video controller, graphics memory and video monitor control, characterized in that the microprocessor with permanent and operable memory is a single-chip microcomputer (12) and the counters (2) are electronic burst memory is connected to an automatic collection controller (13), connected to a digital display (14) and to a single-chip microcomputer (12), which 15 is connected via a first microprocessor control information bus (15) whose information input is connected to the output of an electronic key recognition unit (16) connected to a socket-lock (17) for receiving electronic keys, wherein the microprocessor (15) is connected via a second information-control bus to an electronic clock 18) and the battery (1) is connected to the power inputs to support the clock (18) and a microprocessor (15) whose third information control bus is connected to non-volatile memory (19) connected via another information control bus to the single-chip microcomputer (12).