RU2202124C2 - Network controller of system of game-playing machines, system of game-playing machines, and method for controlling system of game-playing machines in integrated information-and-prize network - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information-and-prize networks. SUBSTANCE: network controller of game-playing machines of information-and-prize networks has processor with data signal input/output ports, memory device, data signal transmission means, software-hardware means for off- line automatic and/or remote function control, and/or additional equipment of game-playing machines, and/or information displays, and/or signal transmission means, and/or software and software-hardware protection means. Network controller processor has built-in program execution check-up device and at least one of ports, universal asynchronous transceiver or any other analog device for real-time processing and converting different types of switched interfaces such as TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485, or other data exchange standards or protocols. Said controller provides for rendering all network services irrespective of distance from data-processing center and types of game- playing machines employed. EFFECT: enhanced economic efficiency, reliability, controllability, attraction, and recklessness of play. 23 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
The invention relates to the field of entertainment and gambling, to the design and method of controlling a gaming device system of a single information and prize network and can be used in local and global casino networks or gaming halls that use heterogeneous and located at a considerable distance from each other and from the computing center, gaming devices and in which a constant account of money bets made and winnings or prizes paid in gaming machines is maintained.

BACKGROUND
Various stand-alone gaming machines are known comprising a coin or token acceptor, a game panel, and a prize or winning device. The disadvantage of these stand-alone devices is the participation of only one player in the game and the limited size of the maximum win, which, as a rule, is smaller than the total amount of bets made on slot machines.

 A known gaming machine for the electronic implementation of symbolic, in particular card games, such as "Poker", in which prepay a loan and set the value of the game bet within this loan, display them, then, on a command, randomly generate combinations of non-repeating, for example, card teams by randomly replacing in this combination part of the symbols that determine winning or not winning, and an indication of the results, in which microprocessors connected with microprocessors are used to implement the method described above m software and computing device, a credit and rate adjuster, a control unit, a video driver, a symbolic indicator field (in the form of a video monitor), digital indicators of credit, a bet and a game result, a panel of buttons for game commands [German patent 3738120, G 07 F 17 / 32, 1987].

 A video game device and method for controlling a video game device are known that provide the ability to play using the remote control unit and improve the resolution of the television receiver by optimally transferring the combined image signals from the video game device to the television receiver, which use the operation unit to set a specific mode and start the game, controller input / output for receiving the output signal of the operating unit, read-only memory game programs for outputting a game program in accordance with an output signal of an input / output controller, a random access game program memory for storing a current state of a reproduced game, a screen display controller for outputting color source signals to a screen display device for reproducing a game state, a setting unit for receiving the combined image signal transmitted from the antenna, the image signal processing unit for receiving the combined image signal with the output of the tuner and for issuing the source color signals of the television image [RF patent 2119370, A 63 F 9/22, publ. 09/27/98, Bull. 27].

 Until now, all attempts to integrate gaming machines that are heterogeneous in design, function, and types of output information signals (switched interfaces) into a single control network via terminals connected to the gaming machines by a cable and collecting information therein for subsequent processing on a computer have led to that various means of connecting existing heterogeneous types of switched interfaces to the network of gaming machines using traditional and well-known technical means It has led to the submission to the central computer center of erroneous data during test runs or in the functioning of the network, which can be registered as delivered or received amount. This led to distortion of the data collected from such gaming machines, which in turn sharply reduces the efficiency of the functioning of such systems of gaming machines. Therefore, in practice, the most widespread are local networks of homogeneous in design and types of output information signals (switched interfaces) gaming machines or gaming machines, although such systems are not attractive enough for players with different gaming interests, and therefore local systems of homogeneous gaming machines are not efficient enough and are in limited demand. .

 In particular, it is known a device for an additional game for a reward, which is played simultaneously by the host game and many players at the casino gaming table with many player positions, each of which has a receiver for tokens, light-emitting diodes-indicators for each player, controller by which, at the command of the master, the token receiver is blocked, random number generators connected to the controller, a display connected to the controller to display a random winning combination whether the card, line communication network and a personal computer having a controller input / output card, the additional master controller and software [RF patent 2142309, A 63 F 9/24, publ. 12/10/1999, Bull. 34]. A significant disadvantage of this device is its operability only when connecting to the system identical to each other equipment of playing places, compatible with the type of input / output information signals of the personal computer of the host.

 The impossibility of combining by means of hitherto known and accessible technical means heterogeneous in design and types of switched input / output information signals (types of switched interfaces) into a single electrically connected network of gaming machines has led to the appearance of technical solutions (inventions) in which information signals are exchanged by signals infrared range through appropriate emitters and receivers, which greatly complicates the design of network communicators In particular, it drastically reduces the noise immunity of communication lines and, consequently, the reliability of the functioning of the network, and also allows you to create only local (small in length) networks of gaming machines within the same gaming room.

 The closest in technical essence and the achieved technical result (prototype) is a system for accounting bets and wins in gaming machines by constantly counting the wagered amounts and amounts paid as prizes in gaming machines, issuing random prizes, which contains everything installed in the gaming machine and carrying out everything operations for reading, storing and transmitting information, a control device connected to the infrared communication board and an adapter board connected to the information terminal, when The communication between the communication board and the adapter is carried out by means of infrared signals, which are equipped with emitters and receivers for this, and the control device installed in the gaming machine contains a communications microcontroller, an element of a supervisor that provides verification of the correct operation of the circuit and communication elements that determine program failures and failures nutrition [RF application 94031566/09 G 07 F 17/38, publ. 1996.06.20].

 A characteristic feature of this control system (prototype) is that the communication circuit is designed in accordance with the RS232 interface and allows you to connect peripheral devices that work only in this standard in local networks that are limited in length, and that the control tool contains a microcontroller , which performs account operations and acts as a storage device for storing information, fueled by a battery in case of power failures, an element of the supervisor which determines both malfunctions during program execution, and power failures, and a communication element designed to transmit information electrically to the infrared communication board, the entire control system being mounted on a printed circuit board, which, in addition to microcontroller elements, a supervisor element, communication elements and related electronic circuits is equipped with a connector through which communication with the gaming machine and communication board in the infrared range, as well as installation elements to install the board inside the machine.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main technical problem (the inventive task has not been solved so far), which hinders the development of the gaming business, the increase in the mass, attractiveness and effectiveness of modern gaming device systems, is that increased requirements for the cost-effectiveness, attractiveness and gambling of gaming device systems require combining into a single information -prize local (within the same gaming hall) and global (within several remote gaming halls) networks of heterogeneous on the design and functioning of gaming devices, but known to date and available technical means, only homogeneous gaming devices can be combined into local electrically connected networks.

 It is also known that in most currently known gaming devices, switched information signal interfaces are usually used according to the TTL and RS232 standards, therefore, in local networks (within the same gaming hall or one casino) and relatively short information communication chains, the exchange of information signals is most effective according to the TTL and RS232 standards, however, when transmitting information signals in the TTL and RS232 standard in long communication circuits, many errors and errors occur.

 In global chains of information communications, the exchange of information signals according to RS422 and RS485 standards or according to other standards or other information exchange protocols is most effective.

 Thus, for global systems that combine gaming equipment of several gaming equipment remote from each other and from the computer center of the gaming halls into a single information and prize network, it is necessary to create and use new technical tools that simultaneously process information signals of heterogeneous equipment in several heterogeneous standards - TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 and other standards and protocols for the exchange of information, combine gaming machines with various interfaces and protocols in global networks exchange exchange, manage real-time information display devices and accumulate and win winnings and advertising information, collect, analyze and store statistical data on communication channels and means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The required technical result (the purpose of the invention) achieved by using the invention is the creation of new equipment and new information technologies that allow the use of gaming devices, which are heterogeneous in design and function, remote at any distance from each other and from the computer center, in the global prize-winning networks gaming equipment that allows real-time processing at the same time electrically (through electrical or optical their cables) and electronically (via the global Internet) connected networks heterogeneous types of switched input / output information signals according to different types of switched interfaces according to different standards and according to different information exchange protocols, combined into a single global network of heterogeneous gaming devices remote from each other, when at the same time increasing the economic efficiency, reliability, manageability, attractiveness and gambling of gaming devices while reducing the complexity of servicing Game equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The required technical result when using the invention (the goal) is achieved by the fact that the network controller of the gaming device system of a single information and prize network according to the invention comprises a processor with input / output ports of information signals, a storage device, means for transmitting information signals, hardware-software automatic and / or remote monitoring of the operation of the network controller itself and / or one or more network units about the controller and / or game devices and / or additional equipment of game devices and / or information boards and / or means for transmitting information signals and / or their software, software and hardware for autonomous automatic and / or remote configuration of the operation of the network controller itself and / or one or more blocks of a network controller and / or additional equipment for gaming devices and / or information boards and / or means for transmitting information signals and / whether their software and software and hardware means for protecting information signals and / or software for a network controller and / or means for transmitting information signals, while the processor contains an integrated program control device and at least one of the processor ports contains a universal asynchronous information signal transceiver or other similar means with the ability to process or convert in real time heterogeneous switched types of inte interfaces, for example TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 or other standards or protocols of information exchange of an information and computer center with gaming devices and / or additional equipment of gaming devices and / or information boards or other switched devices, and the hardware blocks of the network controller are made with the possibility of them functions of the network controller of the gaming device, the network controller of the information board and the network two-channel analyzer-converter.

 At the same time, the network controller with the ability to perform the functions of the network controller of the gaming device of a single information-prize network is configured to receive, process and transmit real-time information signals from the gaming device and / or additional equipment of the gaming device to the information and computing center about the status and / or the functioning of the gaming device and / or counters of the gaming device and / or additional equipment of the gaming device and / or their software statistics and / or statistical information on the status or functioning of the means of transmitting information signals, receiving, processing and transmitting in real time response information signals or commands from the information and computer center with the possibility of remote configuration directly of the network controller of the gaming device itself, determining the type of information exchange protocol signals and the order of filling the structure of the counters of the gaming device, as well as an additional opportunity to autonomously automatic and / or remote zeroing and restarting directly of the network controller of the gaming device itself in cases of detecting signs of incorrect operation or in the absence of signs of correct operation of the gaming device and / or counters of the gaming device and / or additional equipment of the gaming device and / or directly the gaming network controller itself devices and / or their software.

 In addition, the network controller with the ability to perform the functions of the network controller of the information panel of the unified information-prize network is configured to receive, process and transmit information signals in real time on the status and / or functioning of the indicators of the information panel and / or its software, with the ability to remotely configure directly the network controller information board, the ability to determine we connect, the order and duration of activation of the switched equipment for certain events and the ability to receive, process and transmit the corresponding response information signals or commands from the computer center, as well as the additional possibility of autonomous automatic and / or remote zeroing and restarting the corresponding software and / or reloading templates defining the form and display order of information signals of all or any of the indicators of the information board, and / directly whether a network controller itself placard in cases signs of improper operation or in the absence of correct operation of information display and / or indicator information display and / or directly to the network controller of the information display and / or software.

 In addition, the network controller with the ability to perform the functions of a network two-channel analyzer-converter of a single prize-winning network is configured to receive, process, coordinate and transmit in real time streams of information signals with different speeds and / or different switched types of interfaces or information exchange protocols passing through the means of transmitting information signals from the information center to the network controllers of gaming devices or network controllers of information boards and vice versa, with the ability to collect, process and transmit information signal packets over electrically connected or other communication networks, with the ability to determine the addresses of sources and receivers of information signal packets, control errors in passing packets of information signals, record control results in internal statistics structures , with the possibility of forming, in the event of a loss of communication with the information and computer center of the commands on the network controllers of gaming devices network controllers of advertising and information boards for their automatic transition to stand-alone automatic operation, the ability to automatically determine in real time the working speed of the exchange of information signals or packets of information signals of the analyzer-converter with the information and computer center and to determine in real time the working speed of the exchange of information signals or information signal packets of the analyzer-converter with the equipment of the gaming device system properties of a single prize network in accordance with the specified configuration of the analyzer-converter, the ability to convert heterogeneous types of switched types of interfaces, the ability to receive, process and transmit the corresponding information signals from network controllers of gaming devices and / or network controllers of information boards and / or information transmission media signals to the computer center or response information signals from the information and computer center and additional features I will use autonomous automatic and / or remote zeroing and the network analyzer-converter itself in cases of detecting signs of incorrect operation or in the absence of signs of correct operation of the network analyzer-converter itself and / or means of collecting, processing and transmitting information signals to the information and computer center and back.

 At the same time, the network controller is capable of autonomous functioning upon interruption of the exchange of information signals with the information and computer center, and the controller’s storage device is capable of remotely reprogramming and / or reinstalling its software.

 In addition, the network controller is equipped with a reader for magnetic or other information cards, it contains an intelligent panel that is functionally connected to the storage device and contains an autonomous power source and / or a power controller and / or non-volatile real-time clock.

 Moreover, the network controller is configured to control in real time the operation of the information board by controlling the appropriate means of signaling and / or indication and / or with the ability to control LED or other similar indicators on the information board by adjusting the composition, order and form of the information signals about the fact or facts of a win and / or the current value of the amount of the win and / or information of an advertising nature, and software and hardware on the protection of information signals and / or software directly to the network controller itself and / or the software for transmitting information signals is made in the form of software and hardware encryption / decryption of internal and / or external information signals of the controller and / or network controller software and / or software for transmitting information signals.

 In addition, the network controller is capable of autonomous automatic and / or remote real-time indication of the results of monitoring the status and / or operation of the network controller itself and / or one or more blocks of the network controller and / or game device and / or additional gaming equipment devices and / or information boards and / or means for transmitting information signals by means of light, sound or other indicators.

 Moreover, the network controller further comprises a microcircuit or other similar means generating and / or fixing a unique identification number of the network controller itself and / or the gaming device and / or information board, and the network controller processor is made in the form of an erasable and repeatedly reprogrammable integrated circuit or a programmable logic integrated circuit consisting of a matrix of logic cells interconnected by logical keys and memorizing a structure made with the possibility of influencing them by obtaining the required specialized microcircuit structure.

 The required technical result when using the invention (the goal) is also achieved by the fact that in the gaming device system of a single information and prize network comprising gaming devices, information boards, an information and computing center and means for transmitting information signals, gaming devices and information boards according to the invention are additionally contain network controllers with unique identification numbers with the possibility of autonomous automatic and / or remote monitoring and / or settings for the operation of the network controllers themselves and / or one or more blocks of network controllers and / or game devices and / or additional equipment of game devices and / or information boards and / or means of transmitting information signals and / or their software with the possibility of collecting, processing and transmitting real-time information signals with various switched types of interfaces or information exchange protocols, recording processing results internally the structure of statistics and the transmission of information signals to the information and computer center and with the ability to receive, process and transmit the corresponding response or control signals or commands from the computer center, while the network controllers are configured to process heterogeneous switched types of interfaces, for example TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 or other standards or protocols for information exchange, gaming devices and / or additional equipment for gaming devices and / or information boards or other commutators devices and the data center, and the controller hardware blocks are configured to perform the functions of network controllers of gaming devices and network controllers of information boards by network controllers.

 In this case, an additional network controller in the form of a network analyzer-converter with the ability to collect and process in the mode real-time information signals with various switched types of interfaces or information exchange protocols, error control in information signals ah, the recording of processing results into the internal structure of statistics, transmit data signals to the computing center as well as receiving, processing and transmitting corresponding response or control signals or commands from a computer center.

 Moreover, in the system of gaming devices, gaming devices and information boards comprise network controllers of the above construction.

 Moreover, in the system of gaming devices, information boards contain network controllers of the design described above, which are functionally connected to information boards and are configured to control winnings and / or with the ability to control LED or other indicators of the information board by adjusting the composition, order and form of presentation information signals about winnings and / or advertising information.

 Moreover, the gaming device system as a network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter of the gaming device system contains a network controller according to any construction described above, and the gaming devices are additionally equipped with magnetic or other information card readers.

 The required technical result when using the invention (the goal) is also achieved by the fact that according to the method of controlling the gaming device system of a single information-prize network containing gaming devices, information boards, an information and computing center and means for transmitting information signals, according to the invention, gaming devices and information boards are equipped with network controllers with unique identification numbers, while network controllers are made with the possibility of autonomous automatic and / or remote monitoring and / or adjustment of the functioning of the controllers and / or one or more blocks of controllers and / or game devices and / or additional equipment of game devices and / or information boards and / or means for transmitting information signals or their software and with the possibility of processing in real time streams of information signals with different speeds and different interfaces, for example TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 or other standards or protocols for information exchange on an information and computing center with gaming devices and / or additional equipment for gaming devices and / or information displays or other switched devices, and the hardware blocks of network controllers are made with the possibility of the controller performing the functions of network controllers of gaming devices, network controllers of an information board and a network two-channel analyzer - converter.

 Moreover, network controllers of the above construction are used as network controllers of gaming devices and network controllers of information boards.

 In addition, on the line for transmitting information signals from gaming devices and information boards to a computer center, an additional network analyzer-converter can be additionally installed, while network controllers of gaming devices, network controllers of information boards and a network analyzer-converter are capable of autonomous automatic and / or remote monitoring and / or configuration of the operation of network controllers and / or gaming devices and / or additional equipment for gaming devices TV and / or information boards and / or information signal transmission lines or their software and with the possibility of processing in real time information signal streams with different speeds and different interfaces, for example TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 or other information exchange standards or protocols an information and computing center with gaming devices and / or additional equipment for gaming devices and / or information displays, moreover, a network analyzer is used as a network analyzer controller of the design described above.

 In addition, during the operation of the gaming device system, autonomous automatic and / or remote configuration of the network controllers of the gaming devices is carried out in accordance with their unique identification numbers, the procedure for filling out the structure of the counters of gaming devices in information messages is established, and the procedure for collecting, processing heterogeneous interfaces and transmitting information messages is established to the computer center about the status and functioning of gaming devices and / or additional equipment the use of gaming devices and / or information boards and / or devices for reading magnetic or other information cards and / or other switched devices, as well as receiving, processing and transmitting corresponding response or control signals from a computer center, in this case, if signs of incorrect operation are detected or in the absence of signs of correct operation, autonomous automatic and / or remote zeroing and restarting of the network controllers of gaming devices or information boards are performed.

 At the same time, during the operation of the gaming device system, autonomous automatic and / or remote configuration of the network controllers of information boards is carried out in accordance with their unique identification numbers, while information signals about types of indicators, information signals are transmitted to the network controllers of the advertising and information boards from the information and computing center about the fact of winnings or facts of winnings and the current value of the size of the winnings, information signals about templates specifying the procedure for displaying information on each indicator, information signals on connection schemes, the order and duration of activation of the switched equipment for certain events, and in case of signs of incorrect operation or in the absence of signs of correct operation, autonomous automatic and / or remote zeroing and restarting of network controllers is performed bulletin boards or reloading templates of any of the indicators.

LIST OF DRAWINGS FIGURES
Disclosure of inventions is illustrated by drawings 1-6.

 In FIG. 1 and 2 are structural block diagrams of a system of gaming devices integrated into a single prize network in which the network controllers of the invention are installed on the gaming devices and on the information boards, and an additional two-channel network is installed on the communication line with the information and computing center analyzer-converter in the form of a network controller according to the invention (figure 2).

 In FIG. 3 is a structural block diagram of an embodiment of a network controller of the invention.

 Figure 4 shows the wiring diagram of the network controller according to the invention.

 Figure 5 shows a photograph of a network controller according to the invention.

 Figure 6 shows a photograph of a bulletin board with a network controller according to the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention is illustrated by examples of implementation of the inventions (Fig. 1-6).

 The inventive network controller in the form of a network controller of a gaming device (gaming machine, gaming machine) 1 is installed directly on each gaming device 2, and the inventive network controller in the form of a network controller of an advertising information board 3 is installed directly on an advertising information board inaccessible to outsiders places. All network controllers of gaming devices 1 and all network controllers of advertising information boards 3 are connected via electrically (via electric or optical cables) and / or electronically (via the global Internet) connected means of transmitting information signals to the information and computing center 6 (Fig. 1 )

 In the case of combining gaming devices and additional equipment of gaming halls into a single information and prize network, the network controller according to the invention is additionally installed at the output / entrance of the gaming hall in the form of a two-channel analyzer-converter 5 (Fig. 2).

 The network controller according to the invention comprises (Fig. 3) a processor 7 with ports 8, 9, 19 and an integrated internal hardware-software tool for monitoring and / or adjusting the functioning of 10, a storage unit 11 including at least one random access memory 12 a storage device 13, and a reprogrammable read only memory 14, and an encryption-decryption unit 15.

 To ensure the possibility of autonomous functioning in case of damage to the transmission of information signals or power sources, the storage unit 11 is equipped with an intelligent connection panel with a power controller 17 and a real-time clock 18.

 One of the ports of the processor 19 is connected to the indicators of a standard magnetic card reader 20, a power supply 21, a means for processing and converting in real time heterogeneous switched interfaces 22, made, for example, in the form of a universal asynchronous transceiver of information signals, and a 6-channel control register switch 24.

 A chip or other similar means 25 is attached to the processor 7, generating and / or fixing a unique identification number directly of the network controller and / or gaming device and / or information board.

 At the same time, a magnetic card reader 23 is connected to the processor 7, and the processor ports 8, 9 and 19 are equipped with means 27, 28 with the ability to process various types of switched interfaces of TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 or other standards or communication protocols for communication with gaming devices 2, scoreboard 4 and computing center 6.

 A schematic wiring diagram of a network controller is shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 shows a photograph of a network controller according to the invention.

 On the schematic wiring diagram (figure 4) shows the location of the processor 7, the storage unit 11, random access memory 13, reprogrammable memory 14, port 19, chip 25, generating or fixing a unique identification number of the network controller. The same drawing shows the location of the connectors (means of connection): terminal X1 for connecting to a power source, terminal X2 for connecting to a information board, terminal X3 for connecting to a gaming machine, terminal X4 for connecting to a magnetic reader or other information cards, connector X5 for connecting to means of transmitting information signals for connecting to a network and connecting to an information and computing center, connector X6 with micro Hema 25 generating or retaining a unique identification number for the network controller, the connector X7 for connection to the alarm by means of a successful, signaling about the features of the equipment operation and alarm service information systems, connector X8 for connection to the indicator reading magnetic cards or other information devices.

 A characteristic feature of the design of the same hardware units of the network controller is its versatility and the ability to perform the functions of the network controller of the gaming device, the network controller of the information board and the network two-channel analyzer converter, depending on the configuration of the network controller itself, which allows using the inventive network controllers to integrate heterogeneous and remote from and into a single global prize network formationally computer center gaming devices (machines, machines, etc.) and other accessories game arcades and casinos.

 The inventive universal network controller of the gaming device system of a single prize-winning network can be used to collect, process and transmit information about the status and functioning of the components of the network of gaming devices, to control various equipment of the gaming hall and additional equipment of gaming devices, as a network controller of gaming devices, as a network controller of information boards and as a network analyzer-converter.

 The network controller, configured to perform the functions of the network controller of the gaming device of a single prize network, is configured by appropriate remote configuration with the ability to collect and transmit real-time information about the counters and condition of the gaming device to the database of the gaming computer on / off power , changing the parameters of the game, the features of the functioning of the gaming device and additional equipment of the gaming device wa, as well as the other functions of the network controller of the gaming device shown above.

 The network controller, configured to perform the functions of the network controller of the information panel of a single informational-prize network, is configured by appropriate remote configuration with the ability to control LED indicators (up to 5 pieces) on the information panel in the gaming devices hall to control the composition, order and form of information about winnings and advertising information, as well as to manage winnings alarm devices.

 The network controller, configured to perform the functions of a network two-channel analyzer-converter of a single prize-winning network, is configured by appropriate remote configuration to collect and analyze information passing through the exchange channels, transfer the analysis results to the database of the computer center, and coordinate data flows on the channels with different speeds and different interfaces.

 A network controller configured to perform the functions of the network controller of the gaming device is installed in the housing of the gaming device.

 The network controller of the gaming device is connected to the gaming device via one of the TTL or RS232 interfaces or other standards or information exchange protocols with the additional equipment of the gaming device via TTL, RS232 or RS422 interfaces, with a computer center via RS422 or RS485 interfaces or other standards or protocols information exchange.

 The main function of the network controller of the gaming device is the collection and transfer to the database of the computing center in real time of information about the status and electronic counters of the gaming device, including information about the total number of tokens (credits) put on the game, about the total number of won tokens (credits), the total number of games played, etc., analysis of one’s own state and the formation of messages in a computer center, automatic determination of speed on an exchange line with information and computing itelnym center.

 In addition, through the network controller of the gaming device, additional equipment of the gaming device is controlled in accordance with the loaded configuration, as well as resetting and restarting the network controller if necessary.

Using the network controller of the gaming device, the following additional equipment can be connected to the gaming device:
- a panel displaying information about the amount of winnings or winnings and / or information of an advertising nature;
- 6-channel switch for controlling win-win signaling devices;
- a standard device for reading magnetic or other information cards and an indicator of the operation of this device.

 In addition, the network controller of the gaming device collects statistical information about the operation of communication channels, receives, analyzes and executes commands from the computer center of the system, remotely configures the network controller of the gaming device using its unique identification number, determines and forms the type of protocol for exchanging information signals with the gaming device, which is necessary for connecting to a single network of machines with different exchange protocols in different interfaces.

 In addition, by means of the network controller of the gaming device, the order of filling in the counters structure and the messages transmitted by the network controller of the gaming device to the information and computing center are determined, which is necessary for organizing statistics in the database of the computing center if there are various types of gaming devices and additional equipment in the network manufacturers, as well as other functions necessary for the functioning of a single information and prize network.

 A network controller, configured to perform the functions of a network controller of an information board of a single informational-prize network, is installed in the body of the information panel or other place protected from unauthorized access. The information board, as a rule, is one or several (up to 5 pieces) LED indicators located in the housing and designed to display information about winnings and advertising information. In addition to indicators, a 6-channel switch can be connected to the network controller of the information board to control win-win signaling devices.

 The communication of the network controller of the information board with the indicators is usually carried out through one of the RS232 or RS422 interfaces, and with the network and the computer center via the RS485 interface or other standards or protocols of information exchange.

 The main function of the network controllers of information boards is to manage real-time information on one or more indicators on the board in the gaming device hall in accordance with the loaded configuration, control winnings through a 6-channel switch, collect statistical information about communication channels with indicators and for each indicator.

 In addition, the network controllers of the information boards receive, analyze and execute commands from the information center, remote configuration using the unique identification number of the network controller of the information board itself.

 In addition, network controllers of information boards receive, analyze and process information from a computer center about the type of indicator, type of win, templates that specify the form and order of presentation of information to be displayed on each indicator, information about the connection scheme, order and duration of activation of the dial-up after 6 -channel equipment switch (calls, light garlands) for certain events (for example, when winning), as well as zeroing and restarting the network controller of information Blo, reloading templates of all or one indicators.

 In addition, the network controllers of the information boards analyze their own state and generate messages to the information and computer center and automatically determine the speed on the communication line with the information and computer center and other functions necessary for the operation of a single information and prize network.

 A network controller configured to perform the functions of a network two-channel analyzer-converter of a single prize-winning network is installed in the gaming device hall in a place protected from unauthorized access.

 The connection of a network two-channel analyzer-converter with network controllers of gaming devices and network controllers of information boards is usually carried out via the RS485 interface, and with a computer center via the RS232 or RS422 interface or other information exchange standards or protocols.

 One of the main functions of the two-channel analyzer-converter of the unified information-prize network is the collection and analysis of information passing through serial communication channels from the information and computer center to the network controllers of gaming devices and network controllers of information boards and vice versa, including collecting a data packet byte-by-bit, determining the address source and receiver of information packet, error control in passing packets by checking checksum or other methods, recording analysis results Statistics of internal structure that allows us to analyze the physical condition and quality of links with each device.

 In addition, the network two-channel analyzer-converter performs the conversion of RS232 / RS485 interface types, analyzes its own state and generates messages in the information and computer center, as well as other functions necessary for the operation of a single information and prize network.

 In addition, a network two-channel analyzer-converter receives, analyzes and processes information from a computer center, remotely configures directly a network two-channel analyzer-converter, automatically determines the operating speed of information exchange on a communication channel with a computer center and sets the speed on a communication channel with terminal devices in accordance with a given configuration, matches data streams on channels with different speeds, which allows to optimize the ratio "quality / data transfer speed", as well as zeroing and restarting directly the network two-channel analyzer-converter in case of violations of its functioning.

 Some individual particular features of the invention are known, however, the totality of essential features of the invention among the solutions known in science and technology, in the scope of our search, was not found. In addition, the set of essential features of the invention performs new, previously unknown functions, that is, provides the opportunity to obtain a new technical result.

 The controllers of certain types of gaming equipment are known, in particular, the gaming machine controllers SMIB (Slot Machine Interface Board) of Mikohn, USA are known. However, these controllers are only suitable for connecting gaming machines only to local networks.

 A characteristic feature of the network controller according to the invention is its versatility and the ability to use the same basic design for processing or converting in real time heterogeneous switched types of interfaces, for example TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485 or other standards or protocols for information exchange, combining heterogeneous gaming devices and / or additional equipment for gaming devices and / or information boards or other switched devices and information and computing prices ra network controllers perform identical functions and hardware implementation of the gaming device of the network controller and network controller information display and network analyzer bi-converter.

 The versatility of the hardware version of the controller according to the invention allows connecting almost all known gaming equipment of various manufacturers to a single information and prize network, increasing flexibility and simplifying the operation of both the controller itself and a wide range of various gaming equipment, the integration of which into a single network was previously impossible.

 A high degree of controller adaptation is achieved through the use of an integrated program control device in the processor structure and through the use of a universal asynchronous transceiver in at least one of the processor ports, as well as through the use of a programmable read-only memory device as part of the controller.

 All this not only allowed to increase the number of switched types of interfaces and information exchange protocols, to provide unlimited coverage area of a single information and prize network and to provide the possibility of an unlimited number of gaming equipment to be connected to the network, but also to drastically reduce the complexity of network maintenance, the ability to remotely control and quickly reprogram software -hardware units of network controllers, as well as drastically reduce the requirements for quantity and qualifications bsluzhivayuschego staff.

 Using the built-in encryption / decryption unit has significantly improved the information security of the network and information data from unauthorized access.

 Thus, the combination of general and private essential features of inventions provides the opportunity to solve the set inventive problems and achieve the goal of inventions and confidently achieve the desired technical result when using inventions.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
To confirm the feasibility of implementing the inventions in an industrial way and experimentally confirm the feasibility of achieving the required technical result, pilot industrial models of the claimed network controllers were manufactured and tested, a gaming device system was created and implemented using the network controllers of the invention within a single prize network in the territory of St. Petersburg and Moscow, Riga and other cities have shown high efficiency in their application.

Practical field tests have shown that the use of the inventive network controllers and the gaming device system of a single information-prize network allow the invention to be implemented industrially with the following main practical advantages:
- when using the universal network controllers according to the invention, the convenience of operation and the visualization of displaying software and hardware malfunctions of the gaming equipment are improved, including the provision of self-diagnosis by the network controllers for a number of parameters;
- provides automation and increased reliability of the game system due to the possibility of remote configuration of equipment, adaptation to specific communication lines, automatic control, commissioning, zeroing and restarting faulty equipment in real time;
- increases the visibility of information for players through the use of additional 6-channel switches and address management of each separately information board directly from the computer center in real time;
- other practically proven advantages, which practically confirmed the principal operability of the invention with its wide practical use in the actually operating unified prize network “JACKPOT” in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Riga and other cities created by the efforts of the applicant 000 “PROFIT Firm”.

COMPLIANCE WITH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In general, given the novelty and innocence of the invention (proved in the section "Background" and "Summary of the invention"), the materiality of all general and particular features of inventions (proved in the section "Disclosure of the invention"), as well as shown in the sections "Examples of inventions "and" Industrial applicability "the feasibility of the invention and the achievement of the objectives of the invention, in our opinion, the claimed group of inventions meets all the eligibility requirements for inventions.

 Thus, there is every reason to assert that the inventions of the group meet the requirements of the eligibility criterion of "inventive step", and the analysis also shows that all the general and particular features of the inventions are essential, since each of them is necessary, and together they are not only sufficient to achieve the goal of inventions, but also allow you to implement the invention in an industrial way.

 In addition, the analysis of the set of essential features of the inventions of the group and the technical result achieved by using them shows the existence of a single inventive concept, a close and inextricable connection between the inventions of the group, which allows combining the inventions in one application.

Claims (23)

 1. The network controller of the gaming device system of a single prize network containing gaming devices, information boards and an information and computing center connected by means of transmitting information signals, characterized in that the network controller comprises a processor with input / output ports of information signals, one of which is intended for connection with means of transmitting information signals, connecting to a specified network and connecting to an information and computer center, equipped with means bots of switched interfaces or information exchange protocols with an information and computer center and a storage unit functionally connected to an intelligent panel that provides autonomous operation of the network controller in case of damage to the transmission of information signals or power supplies, contains a chip that generates or fixes a unique identification number of the network controller, at the same time, the network controller has a standalone or dist software monitoring and adjustment of functioning, and software and hardware for protecting information signals and software, while at least one of the processor ports contains a universal asynchronous transceiver of information signals with the ability to process or convert switched interfaces or information exchange protocols with information and computing the center, and the indicated blocks of the network controller are made with the possibility of the network controller performing network functions about the controller of the gaming device, the network controller of the information board and the network controller in the form of a two-channel analyzer-converter.  2. The network controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the network controller is configured to perform the functions of the network controller of the gaming device with the ability to receive, process and transmit real-time information signals from the gaming device and additional equipment of the gaming device to the data center about the state and functioning of the gaming device, counters, additional equipment of the gaming device, their software, statistical information about the means or functioning of the means of transmitting information signals, receiving, processing and transmitting in real time response information signals or commands from the information center, with the ability to remotely configure directly the network controller itself, determine the type of protocol for the exchange of information signals and the order in which the counters are filled, and also an additional possibility of autonomous automatic or remote zeroing and restarting directly itself the first network controller in cases signs of improper operation or in the absence of the correct operation of the gaming device, auxiliary equipment or directly to the gaming unit of the network controller of the gaming device or software.  3. The network controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the network controller is configured to perform the functions of a network controller information board with the ability to receive, process and transmit information signals about the status and functioning of the indicators of the information board to the data center in real time its software, with the ability to remotely configure directly the network controller itself, the ability to determine connection schemes, order and duration the possibility of activating the switched equipment for certain events, the ability to receive, process and transmit the corresponding response information signals or commands from the information and computer center, as well as the possibility of autonomous automatic or remote zeroing and restarting of the corresponding software and reloading templates that specify the form and order of displaying information signals all or any of the indicators on the information board, or directly on the network the controller information display signs in case of detection of incorrect operation or in the absence of correct operation of the bulletin board, information display indicators direct network controller of the information board or software.  4. The network controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the network controller is configured to perform the functions of a network two-channel analyzer-converter with the ability to receive, process, coordinate and transmit real-time information signals with different speeds and different switched types of interfaces passing by means of transmitting information signals from the information and computing center to the network controllers of gaming devices or network controllers of information boards and vice versa, with the collection, processing and transmission of information signal packets over electrically connected or other communication networks, with the ability to determine the addresses of sources and receivers of information signal packets, control errors in passing packets of information signals, record control results in internal statistics structures, with the possibility of formation in case of loss communication with the information and computing center of teams on network controllers of gaming devices and network controllers of information boards for their automatic transition to autonomous automatic operation, the ability to automatically determine in real time the working speed of the exchange of information signals or packets of information signals of a network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter with an information and computing center and to determine in real time the working speed of the exchange of information signals or packets of information signals of the network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter with the equipment of a gaming device system TV of a unified information-prize network in accordance with a given configuration of a network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter, the ability to convert heterogeneous types of switched interfaces and information exchange protocols, the ability to receive, process and transmit relevant information signals from network controllers of gaming devices, network controllers of information boards, means of transmitting information signals to an information-computer center or response information signals from inform a data-processing center and the additional possibility of autonomous automatic or remote zeroing and the network controller itself in the form of an analyzer-converter in cases of detecting signs of incorrect operation or in the absence of signs of correct operation of the network controller itself in the form of an analyzer-converter or means of transmitting information signals to the computer center and back.  5. The network controller according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is equipped with a device for reading magnetic or other information cards.  6. The network controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is configured to operate autonomously when interrupting the exchange of information signals with the information and computer center.  7. The network controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the storage device of the network controller is configured to remotely reprogram or reinstall its software.  8. The network controller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an intelligent panel operatively connected to the storage device, comprising an autonomous power source, and / or a power controller, and / or non-volatile real-time clock.  9. The network controller according to claim 3, characterized in that it is configured to control in real time the operation of the information board by controlling the appropriate signaling or indication means, with the ability to control LED or other similar indicators on the information boards by adjusting the composition, order and shape giving information signals about the fact or facts of the win, and / or the current value of the amount of the win, and / or advertising information.  10. The network controller according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the software and hardware tool for protecting information signals and software is made in the form of software and hardware encryption / decryption of internal and / or external information signals of the controller, network controller software or software for transmitting information signals.  11. The network controller according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is capable of autonomous automatic or remote indication in real time of the results of monitoring the status and functioning of the network controller itself, one or more blocks of the network controller, game device, additional equipment of a gaming device, information board or means of transmitting information signals through light, sound or other indicators.  12. The network controller according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the network controller processor is made in the form of an erasable and repeatedly reprogrammable integrated circuit or in the form of a programmable logic integrated circuit.  13. A gaming device system of a single prize network comprising gaming devices, information boards and an information and computing center connected by means of transmitting information signals, characterized in that the gaming devices and information boards comprise network controllers comprising a processor with information signal input / output ports , one of which is designed to connect to means of transmitting information signals for connecting to a specified network and connecting to information and computing a processing center, a means of processing switched interfaces or information exchange protocols with a data processing center and a storage unit functionally connected to an intelligent panel to ensure autonomous functioning in case of damage to the transmission of information signals or power supplies, a chip generating or fixing a unique identification number of the network controller, hardware-software tool for autonomous or remote control and configuration of functions ionization and hardware-software means of protecting information signals and software, and at least one of the processor ports contains a universal asynchronous transceiver of information signals with the ability to process or convert dial-up interfaces or data exchange protocols with a data center.  14. The system according to item 13, wherein the network controller in the form of a network analyzer-converter with the ability to collect and process in the mode real-time information signals with various switched types of interfaces or information exchange protocols, error control in information signals, recording processing results in internal nnie structure statistics, transmit information signals in the information-center computer, as well as receiving, processing and transmitting corresponding response or control signals or commands from a computer center.  15. The system according to p. 13 or 14, characterized in that the gaming devices contain network controllers according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5-12.  16. The system according to item 13 or 14, characterized in that the information boards contain network controllers according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5-12, which are functionally connected to the information boards and configured to control winnings or with the possibility of control of LED or other indicators of the information panel by regulating the composition, order and form of the submission of information signals about winnings or advertising information.  17. The system according to 14, characterized in that as a network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter, the system comprises a network controller according to any one of claims 1, 4-12.  18. The system according to any one of paragraphs.13-15, characterized in that the gaming devices are additionally equipped with readers for magnetic or other information cards.  19. A method for controlling a gaming device system of a single prize network containing gaming devices, information boards and an information and computing center connected by means of transmitting information signals, characterized in that the gaming devices and information boards provide network controllers with unique identification numbers and the possibility of autonomous automatic or remote control and configuration of the functioning of network controllers or blocks of network controllers, gaming devices properties, additional equipment of gaming devices, information boards, means of transmitting information signals or their software and with the possibility of processing in real time information signals with different speeds, different interfaces or protocols of information exchange of an information and computing center with gaming devices, additional equipment of gaming devices and information boards, and the hardware blocks of network controllers are made with the ability to perform control the controller of the functions of network controllers of gaming devices, network controllers of a bulletin board and a network controller in the form of a two-channel analyzer-converter, while operating a system of gaming devices, they perform autonomous automatic or remote configuration of network controllers of gaming devices in accordance with their unique identification numbers, determine the order in which the structure is filled counters in informational messages, establish the procedure for collecting, processing heterogeneous inter messages and transmitting information messages to the information and computer center about the status and functioning of gaming devices, additional equipment for gaming devices, information boards, readers for magnetic or other information cards or other switched devices, as well as receiving, processing and transmitting corresponding response or control signals from information and computer center, in this case, if signs of incorrect operation are detected or in the absence of signs of correct operation, tonomnoe automatic or remote reset and restart the network controllers.  20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that as the network controllers of the gaming devices use network controllers according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5-12.  21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the network controllers according to any one of paragraphs are used as network controllers of the information board. 1, 3, 5-12.  22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that a network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter is installed on the line for transmitting information signals from gaming devices and information boards to the information and computing center, while network controllers for gaming devices, network controllers for information boards and network the controller in the form of an analyzer-converter is performed with the possibility of autonomous automatic or remote monitoring and tuning of the functioning of network controllers, gaming devices, additional equipment of gaming devices, information boards, means of transmitting information signals or their software and with the possibility of processing in real time streams of information signals with different speeds, different interfaces or protocols for the information exchange of an information and computing center with gaming devices, additional equipment for gaming devices or information scoreboard, and as a network controller in the form of an analyzer-converter, use a network controller according to from the paragraphs 1, 4-12.  23. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that during the operation of the gaming device system, autonomous automatic or remote configuration of the network controllers of the information boards is performed in accordance with their unique identification numbers, while transmitting to the network controllers of the information boards from the information and computing center information signals about types of indicators, about the fact of winning or facts of winnings and the current value of the size of the winnings, about templates that specify the form and order of display information on each indicator, about the connection diagrams, the order and duration of activation of the switched equipment for certain events, and in case of signs of incorrect operation or in the absence of signs of correct operation, autonomous automatic or remote zeroing and restarting of network controllers of information boards or reloading of templates of any of the indicators .

Images