Gaming device network
First Claim
1. A communication network for at least one gaming device comprising:
- a host communication device capable of transmitting and receiving data;
at least one gaming device;
a communication interface associated with said at least one gaming device; and
a communication link provided between said at least one gaming device and said host communication device, said communications link comprising at least one optic fiber, said host communications device and communications interface associated with said at least one gaming device configured to bi-directionally communicate data over said communication link.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for permitting communications with a gaming device is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention is a network including a host or gaming gateway which is associated with one or more other networks/systems which may operate in accordance with different protocols, and a communication interface associated with each gaming device on the network. An optical communication link is provided between the gaming gateway and the gaming devices. The gaming gateway and each communication interface are arranged to bi-directionally transmit and receive data over the optical communications link. Preferably, information associated with the plurality of other networks/systems associated with the gaming host are transmitted over the single network linking the host and gaming devices. In one embodiment, the network has a loop topography, and the gaming gateway is adapted to detect a break in the network loop and re-route information over the appropriate portion of the link to communicate with each gaming device. In one or more embodiments, a security monitoring system is associated with the network. In one embodiment, this system includes at least one sensor for detecting the position of a gaming device cabinet access door. The security monitoring system and the communication interface for the gaming device are provided with an independent or backup power supply so that they remain operational when power is shut off or lost to the remainder of the gaming device. During times when the main power supply is not available, the communication interface and security monitoring system are arranged to turn on at specified time intervals and send packetized information to the host for monitoring.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A communication network for at least one gaming device comprising:
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a host communication device capable of transmitting and receiving data;
at least one gaming device;
a communication interface associated with said at least one gaming device; and
a communication link provided between said at least one gaming device and said host communication device, said communications link comprising at least one optic fiber, said host communications device and communications interface associated with said at least one gaming device configured to bi-directionally communicate data over said communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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15. A communication network for receiving information from and sending information to at least one gaming device comprising:
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a bi-directional communication interface associated with said gaming device;
at least one remote bi-directional communication host device;
at least one optical communication link between said bi-directional communication interface and bi-direction communication host device.
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20. A security system for a gaming device having a cabinet and at least one access door and a primary power supply comprising:
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a security monitoring system including at least one sensor for outputting data regarding a condition of said at least one access door;
a communication interface for receiving said condition data from said security monitoring system and providing said condition data to a remote location; and
a secondary power supply for powering said security monitoring system and communication interface during a period in which power is not available from said primary power supply. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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24. A communication network for at least one gaming device comprising:
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a host communication device, said host communication device adapted to receive information from and transfer information to at least a second network;
at least one gaming device;
a communication link provided between said at least one gaming device and said host communication device;
a communication interface associated with said at least one gaming device and coupled to said communication link, said communication interface adapted to transmit information to one or more features of said gaming device associated with said second network.
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28. A method of transferring information to one or more gaming devices comprising:
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providing a communication host;
providing at least one communication link to said one or more gaming devices;
transmitting information from a plurality of remote systems to said host;
transforming said information and transmitting said information from said host to said one or more gaming devices over said communication link.
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Specification