Gaming machine having improved audio control architecture

• US 8,313,374 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Loose, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCulloch, Jr., William H
• Application Number:
  US10/366,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20040161115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,567 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/31, 463/47, 700/94
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

The present invention includes a gaming machine with a first control module that includes a main processor for randomly selecting one of a plurality of outcomes of said gaming machine in response to a wager amount and for sending audio information that controls audio output from the gaming machine. An audio control module is separate and distinct from the first control module, and includes an audio processor that receives the audio information from the main processor. The audio control module is coupled to an audio speaker system for broadcasting the audio output corresponding to the audio information. Also, the first control module may include a memory device that stores operating instructions for the gaming machine, while the audio control module may include an audio memory device for storing audio data sets that the audio processor processes to produce the audio output.

Claims

1. A gaming machine, comprising:

a main control module including a main processor for randomly selecting one of a plurality of outcomes in a wagering game in response to a wager amount, said main control module producing a high-level instruction that controls an audio output from said gaming machine;

an audio control module separate and distinct from said main control module, said audio control module including an audio processor and a memory device for storing audio data sets for said gaming machine, said audio control module receiving said high-level instruction from said main control module, and wherein in response to receipt of said high-level instruction, said audio processor accessing a certain audio data set and processing said certain audio data set to develop output audio signals, including spatial development of said output audio signals; and

an audio speaker system for broadcasting said audio output corresponding to said output audio signals received from said audio control module;

wherein said audio processor develops all output audio signals for said gaming machine; and

wherein said audio processor, by use of said spatial development, controls and directs audio energy from said audio output to a specific location at a front of said gaming machine for creating a desired audio effect for a player of said gaming machine.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein said main control module develops said high-level instruction in response to selecting a winning game outcome of said plurality of outcomes.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein said output audio signals include analog audio signals that are processed by said audio control module.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein said audio control module further includes an interface for receiving said audio information, a D/A converter for converting processed audio signals from said audio processor, and a power amplifier.

5. The gaming machine of claim 4, wherein said audio processor is a DSP.

6. The gaming machine of claim 4, wherein audio control module includes a USB interface and said high level instructions are received through said USB interface and converted to said output audio signals by said audio control module.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein said audio speaker system includes at least one speaker remotely located from said gaming machine.

8. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein said audio speaker system includes at least one speaker mounted on said gaming machine.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein said main control module includes a first printed circuit board and said audio control module includes a second printed circuit board.

10. A gaming machine, comprising:

a main control module including a main processor and a memory device, said memory device for storing operating instructions for said gaming machine, said main processor for randomly selecting one of a plurality of outcomes of said gaming machine in response to a wager amount, said main control module and for producing a high-level instruction that controls an audio output from said gaming machine;

an audio control module separate and distinct from said main control module, said audio control module including an audio processor that receives said high-level instruction and an audio memory device for storing audio data sets, said audio processor accessing and processing at least one of said audio data sets in response to receiving said high-level instruction from said main control module, said audio processor producing output audio signals corresponding to said audio output; and

an audio speaker system for broadcasting said audio output.

11. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said audio memory device is a compact flash card.

12. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said audio controller selects said at least one of said audio data sets in response to receiving said high-level instruction.

13. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said audio control module includes an interface for receiving said high-level instruction, a D/A converter for converting processed audio signals from said audio processor, and a power amplifier.

14. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein said audio processor is a DSP.

15. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein said audio memory device includes a compact flash card.

16. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein said audio memory device includes a DRAM array.

17. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said main control module and said audio control module are enclosed.

18. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said high-level instruction corresponds to an audio output that contains a message for a player of said gaming machine.

19. The gaming machine of claim 18, wherein said message relates to an outcome achieved by said gaming machine.

20. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said audio speaker system includes at least one speaker remotely located from said gaming machine.

21. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said audio speaker system includes a plurality of speakers.

22. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said main control module includes a first printed circuit board and said audio control module includes a second printed circuit board.

23. A method of operating a gaming machine that receives wager inputs and randomly selects outcomes after receiving said wager inputs, comprising:

determining, via a main control module for said gaming machine, an audio output to be broadcast from said gaming machine;

sending a high-level instruction corresponding to said audio output from said main control module to an audio control module that is distinct from said main control module, said audio control module including an audio processor and a memory device storing audio data;

in response to receiving said high-level instruction at said audio control module, accessing said audio data stored on said memory device with said audio processor;

processing said audio data at said audio control module with said audio processor so as to produce output audio signals; and

driving at least one speaker with said output audio signals.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of determining is in response to a selection of a certain one of said outcomes.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said audio processor is a DSP and said output audio signals are amplified at said audio control module.

26. A method of operating a gaming machine that receives wager inputs and randomly selects outcomes after receiving said wager inputs, comprising:

accessing a main memory device located on a main control module and containing game operating instructions;

randomly selecting an outcome from a plurality of outcomes in accordance with said game operating instructions;

transmitting high-level audio instructions from said main control module to an audio control module that is distinct from said main control module, said audio control module including an audio memory device and a digital signal processor, said audio memory device storing audio data for said wagering game;

in response to receiving said high-level audio instructions at said audio control module, accessing, with said digital signal processor, said audio data from said an audio memory device; and

processing said audio data, including spatial processing of said audio data, with said digital signal processor at said audio control module so as to produce output audio signals, said spatial processing controlling and directing audio energy to a specific location at a front of said gaming machine for creating a desired audio effect for a player of said gaming machine,

wherein said audio control module processes all output audio signals for said gaming machine.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said audio control module includes a USB interface, and further including transmitting said high level audio instructions from said main control module to said audio control module through said USB interface.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein transmitting occurs in response to said selecting of a certain outcome.