SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT

• US 20130085001A1
• Filed: 11/02/2011
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Game Technology
• Original Assignee: International Game Technology
• Inventors: Thoeni, Stewart, Gray, James Michael, Tognoni, Randall Jason, Anderson, Nicholas William, LeSourd, Kehl Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,777,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof

Abstract

A computer system includes an enclosure having a processor, a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, and an environment monitoring system therein. The enclosure environment monitoring system includes a temperature sensor, and an air quality sensor. The computer system also has an indicator responsive to certain conditions being sensed.

Claims

1. An electronic gaming machine comprising:

an enclosure;

a processor within the enclosure;

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and within the enclosure;

an enclosure environment monitoring system including;

a temperature sensor; and

an air quality sensor.

2. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the air quality sensor monitors a count of particulates in the air within the enclosure.

3. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising an indicator for indicating a high temperature condition.

4. The electronic gaming machine of claim 2 further comprising an indicator for indicating a particulate count over a threshold particulate count.

5. The electronic gaming machine of claim 2 further comprising an indicator for indicating a combination of a temperature over a threshold temperature and a particulate count over a threshold particulate count.

6. The electronic gaming machine of claim 5 wherein the indicator is enabled when a maintenance action is required.

7. The electronic gaming machine of claim 5 wherein the indicator enables a light when a maintenance action is required.

8. The c electronic gaming machine of claim 7 wherein the indicator produces an indication on an output device.

9. The electronic gaming machine of claim 5 further comprising:

a fan for producing incoming air to the enclosure; and

an air filter for filtering incoming air wherein the second sensor monitors a count of particulates in the air and wherein the indicator indicates a need for the air filter to be changed.

10. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the air quality sensor at a particular time is recorded in memory.

11. The electronic gaming machine of claim 5 wherein the output of the temperature sensor and the output of the air quality sensor are stored in memory for a plurality of instances of time.

12. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising:

a fan for producing incoming air to the enclosure; and

an air filter for filtering incoming air, wherein outputs from the temperature sensor and the air quality sensor are used to control the fan.

13. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising:

a fan for producing incoming air to the enclosure; and

an air filter for filtering incoming air wherein the second sensor monitors a count of particulates on the air filter.

14. The electronic gaming machine of claim 13 further comprising an indicator for indicating a need for a filter change in response to a count of particulates on the air filter being over a threshold number.

15. A method of monitoring an electronic gaming system for physical maintenance comprising:

sensing the temperature of a portion of the electronic gaming system;

sensing a particle count in an air volume associated with a portion of the electronic gaming system, and

outputting a maintenance indication in response to combinations of sensed temperature and sensed particle count.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein sensing the temperature of a portion of the electronic gaming system includes sensing the temperature of at least one processor of a computer associated with the electronic gaming system.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein sensing a particle count in the air volume associated with a portion of the electronic gaming system uses a laser light source.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the sensed temperature and the sensed particle count is stored at a first time and the sensed temperature and the sensed particle count is stored at a second time.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein a maintenance indication is output when the particle count is above a particle count threshold value.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein a maintenance indication is output when the temperature is above a temperature threshold value.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein outputting a maintenance indication includes enabling at least one visible light.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein outputting a maintenance indication includes displaying information on a monitor.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein the sensed temperature and the sensed particle count are used to control a fan for moving air through the portion of the electronic gaming system.

24. A computerized method for monitoring an electronic gaming system comprising:

sensing a temperature at a plurality of times in a volume in which at least one processor for an electronic gaming system is located;

measuring air quality at a plurality of times in the volume in which at least one processor for an electronic gaming system is located;

storing the sensed temperature and the measured air quality for the plurality of times;

controlling at least one component of an electronic gaming system in response to one or more sensed temperatures or one or more air quality measurements.

25. The computerized method of claim 24 wherein the electronic gaming system includes a fan, the fan being controlled in response to one or more sensed temperatures.

26. The computerized method of claim 24 wherein the electronic gaming system includes a fan, the fan being controlled in response to one or more air quality measurements.

27. The computerized method of claim 24 where the electronic gaming system further comprises a display, wherein the display produces a visual indication of maintenance based on at least one of the air quality measurements.

28. The computerized method of claim 27 wherein the display is a light.

29. The computerized method of claim 27 wherein the display is a monitor.

30. The computerized method of claim 24 wherein the stored sensed temperatures and the stored air quality measurements are analyzed for a pattern, and wherein controlling the at least one component is based in part on the pattern.