MX2007009320A

MX2007009320A - Configurable gaming machine and method for configuring games in a gaming machine.

Info

Publication number: MX2007009320A
Application number: MX2007009320A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Clifton Lind
Original assignee: Multimedia Games Inc
Priority date: 2005-02-04
Filing date: 2006-02-06
Publication date: 2007-11-06
Also published as: CA2601798A1; WO2006084277A2; EP1850932A2; WO2006084277A3; US20060178186A1; AU2006210418A1; EP1850932A4

Abstract

A gaming machine (100) includes a number of game implementation devices, each adapted to be placed alternatively in an enabled or disabled condition. Each respective game implementation device is operable to implement at least a portion of a respective game at the gaming machine (100) when the respective game implementation device is in its enabled state in the gaming machine. The gaming machine (100) also includes an enabling arrangement for selectively placing any of the respective implementation devices in the enabled state. A video display (104) is included in the gaming machine (100) for displaying graphic portions of a respective one of the games when the respective game is implemented at the gaming machine (100).

Description

CONFIGURABLE GAME MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SETTING GAMES IN A GAME MACHINE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to gaming machines through which a player may place a bet in exchange for a possibility of a cash payment or prize. More particularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine capable of being configured in a secure manner and which can provide any of a number of different games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modern gaming machines employ various electronic devices to carry out games and / or to present results to players. Some of these gaming machines are entirely electronic and use a video display screen device to present images to the player during the course of a game. For example, video coin machines use a video display screen to display representations of spinning reels to mimic the reels of a mechanical slot machine. Another example of a game machine that uses a video display screen in the game of a game game is a video poker machine, which uses a video display screen to produce graphic representations of game cards. Modern gaming machines also employ various types of processing devices to perform or direct the various functions of the gaming machine. The functions that can be performed by a processing device in a gaming machine include the identification of the results of a game in a game and the correlation of results with the prizes, for example. Some modern gaming machines employ one or more general purpose processors, executing a suitable functional program code to perform or direct the required functions. Other types of gaming machines may employ one or more special purpose processing devices to perform the required functions of the gaming machine.

Regardless of whether the processing devices used in a gaming machine are general purpose or special purpose, modern gaming machines employing such electronic devices may be relatively easy to modify compared to traditional mechanical gaming machines. In the case of gaming machines that use general-purpose processing devices, games can be substantially modified by changing the processing devices to execute new or different functional program codes. In the case of gaming machines that employ a special-purpose processing device to perform a given function, that function can be changed simply by replacing the special-purpose processing device with a different special processing device. While the ability to easily modify modern gaming machines opens up a large number of possibilities for operators of gaming facilities, the relative ease with which modern gaming machines can be modified also presents serious security problems. The main one among these problems is the potential that a gaming machine has to be modified in an illegal way or in some other unauthorized way. For example, a gaming machine implemented electronically could be changed in an unauthorized way to modify the odds of winning on the machine.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a gaming machine that can have certain electronically controlled functions in a secure manner from a remote location and without requiring physical access to the secure internal components of the gaming machine. The invention also provides methods and program products for safely modifying the electronically controlled functions of a gaming machine from a remote location. The electronically controlled functions that can be modified in accordance with the invention can comprise any aspect of a game or even the complete game. In particular, the present invention allows the graphics used in the course of a game, that is, the presentation of the game to be modified or completely replaced. The present invention also allows the determination of the result or the selection functions performed on a gaming machine are modified or replaced in a secure manner. A gaming machine embodying the principles of the invention includes a number of gaming implementation devices, each adapted to be alternately placed in a disabled or enabled condition. Each respective game implementation device is operable to implement at least a part of a respective game in the gaming machine when the respective game implementation device is in its enabled state in the gaming machine. The gaming machine also includes a enabling arrangement for selectively placing any of the respective implementation devices in the enabled state. A video display screen device is included in the gaming machine to display portions of graphics of a respective one of the games when the respective game is implemented in the gaming machine. In some forms of the invention, each game implementation device comprises a read-only memory device that stores an operational program code. In these forms of the invention, the game implementation devices are read by an appropriate reading device loaded in memory associated with a processing device that executes the operational program code to implement the desired portion of a game. Other forms of the present invention use game implementation devices that comprise electronic circuits that contain processing elements. In these forms of the invention, each game implementation device is placed in an enabled state either physically securing the device in a suitable connector while the remaining game implementation devices remain disconnected or selectively directing the desired game implementation device from among the other connected game implementation devices. As used in this description and in the accompanying claims, the implementation of a portion of a game in a gaming machine means that at least some aspect of the game is performed. For example, the game portion may be a part of a presentation generated on a video monitor in the course of the game. As another example, the portion of the game can be the part that determines the outcome for a game given and / or how the result will be presented to the player through a video display screen on the game machine. It will be appreciated that the game implementation devices according to the invention can be implemented in a complete game including the various graphics that are presented to the player through the player's screen or video display screens and including the manner in which the game is played. that the results are determined and the manner in which the entries are taken from the player. A preferred method according to the present invention includes housing an amount of the game implementation devices in a secure area of a gaming machine, selecting a respective one of the game implementation devices in response to a game loading command , and place the selected game implementation device in a enabled state. The method also includes performing a game on the gaming machine at least in part through the selected implementation device in the enabled state. Some forms of the present invention are implemented through a computer program executed on the gaming machine. In this way, the invention also encompasses program products. A program product according to a preferred form of the present invention includes a game enable program code and a command program code. The code of game enablement program is capable of being executed to selectively enable a respective one of the game implementation devices in response to a game loading command. The command program code is capable of being executed to receive a game selection entry and generate the game load command in response to the game selection entry. By housing a number of different game implementation devices in a gaming machine according to the present invention, the game machine can be configured safely to provide many different types of games or many different versions of a given game. This configuration can be realized both for gaming machines employing general-purpose processing devices and for gaming machines employing special-purpose processing devices or combinations of both types of different processing devices. The configuration can also be performed without having to actually download a game program code to the gaming machine from a remote location and, thus, the gaming machine need not be enabled to receive said program code. This allows the gaming machines according to the present invention to be maintained in a more secure condition. These and other advantages and features of the invention will be clear from the following description of the preferred embodiments, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the principles of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the various components that can be included in a gaming machine according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a collection arrangement of game / enable implements according to a preferred form of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagrammatic terminal view of the collection set of game implementation / enablement devices shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a collection arrangement of alternate game play / enable devices in accordance with the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of another collection arrangement of alternate play / enablement devices in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modalities of the Invention The claims at the end of this application establish novel features that the applicants consider as features of the invention. The various advantages and features of the invention in conjunction with preferred modes of use of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of illustrative embodiments read in conjunction with the drawings presented above. Figures 1 and 2 can be used to describe a particular gaming machine that embodies the principles of the present invention. Figures 3 to 6 will be used below to describe various devices of alternative game implementations and enablement arrangements to make the game implementation devices active in this. The process flow diagram of Figure 7 will be referred to below to describe a method embodying the principles of the invention. Referring to Figure 1, a gaming machine 100 includes a cabinet 101 having a front side generally shown in the reference numeral 102. A video display screen 104 is mounted in a central portion of the front surface 102 with a projection 106 placed below the game video display screen and projecting forward from the plane of the game video display screen. In addition to the game video display screen 104, the illustrated game machine includes a first additional video display screen 17 positioned on the front side of the cabinet 101 above the game video display screen 104, and a second 108 additional video display screen mounted on the front side of the cabinet below the game video display screen. Each of these display screens, the game video display screen 104, first additional video display screen 107 and second additional video display screen 108 participate in the operation of the gaming machine 100 to provide a presentation for a particular game or potential presentations for multiple games simultaneously. It is appreciated that the gaming machine 100 is shown in an operating position in Figure 1 and the descriptions of positions above or below certain elements are made with reference to this illustrated operating position. The gaming machine 100 illustrated in Figure 1, includes a touch screen display 105, player control, which forms a portion of the projection 106 extending from the plane of the game video display 104. With this separate touch-sensitive screen and player control, the illustrated game machine 100 includes a total of four different video display screens, that is, video display screen devices, which together provide the presentation or game presentations in the course of the operation of the game machine. In addition to the separate touch screen 105 and player control, the gaming machine 100 also includes player mechanical control buttons or other input devices 109 mounted on the projection 106. Other forms of the invention may include switches, levers control, or other player input devices mounted on the ledge 106 or elsewhere in the cabinet 101. However, all of the traditional player control inputs can be provided from devices such as switches, buttons, and controls of pointer through the touch screen display / control device 105 of illustrated player and / or touch screen elements that are incorporated with the other display screens 104, 107 and 108 included in the gaming machine 100. Using the separate touch screen 105 and player control in the gaming machine 100 allows the player controls they are easily modified from one game presentation to the next and even within a single presentation. It will be appreciated that gaming machines may also include player interface devices in addition to devices that are considered player controls for use when playing in a particular game. For example, gaming machines commonly include a player card reader, a reader / dispenser of promissory notes or tickets, a cash acceptor / confirmer, and / or coin / chip acceptors / dispensers. The gaming machine 100 shown in Figure 1 includes these types of additional player interface devices in a lower part of the cabinet 101 generally in the plane of the additional lower or secondary video display screen 108. These additional player interface devices are shown collectively in the reference numeral 110 and are located around the periphery of the second additional video display screen 108. However, other forms of the invention may configure one or more separate display screens to form the overall display screen 108 with interface devices 110 or even mechanical player controls mounted within the area of the second additional video display screen. This use of apparent openings in the video display screen also applies to the display screen 105 of player control video and other video display screens that are on the machine 100. While Figure 1 shows four separate video display screens that combine to produce the presentation or presentations of play for the gaming machine 100, it will be appreciated that fewer display screens can also be used. For example, a gaming machine according to the invention may include only a single video to produce a game presentation or a part of a game presentation. However, the use of multiple display screens in places normally reserved for static game machine displays (such as the "upper window" and the "middle window" of a game machine) allow games or game presentations to be they can be produced in the gaming machine whether they are substantially in an infinitely variable form. Also, while each video display screen shown in Figure 1 is indicated as being a single display screen, it will be appreciated that each video display screen 105, 105, 107 and 108 shown in Figure 1 may in fact be formed by two or more separate visualizers that combine to provide what appears to the user to be a single display screen. In addition, the invention is not limited to any particular type or combination of video display screens. Suitable video display screen devices include cathode ray tubes, liquid crystal displays, plasma display screens, LED display screens or any other type of video display screens that are currently known or that may be developed in the future. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing additional components of the gaming machine 100 in conjunction with the display screens 104, 105, 107 and 108 shown in Figure 1. The gaming machine 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU 205 together with a random access memory (RAM) device 206 and a non-volatile memory / storage device 207. All of these devices are functionally connected together with an audio interface device 209, a communications interface. 210, and a serial interface 211 through a suitable bus or bus array 208. Two graphics processors 212 and 213 are also connected in the bus array 208 and are connected to energize the video display screens 104, 105, 107 and 108. The graphics processor 212 controls the video display screen 104 and the player control display screen 105, while the graphics processor 213 controls the first video display screen. additional display 107 and the second additional display screen 108. The system shown in Figure 2 also includes a touch-sensitive screen controller 215 connected to bus 208 of the system. The touch-sensitive screen controller 215 is also connected to receive signals from the touch-sensitive screen elements associated with each display screen device 104, 105, 107 and 108. It will be appreciated that the touch screen elements themselves They include thin films that are secured on the respective video display screen. These touch-sensitive screen elements are not illustrated or are referred to separately in the figures. It will also be appreciated that the touch screen elements may not be associated with each display screen, although the most preferred forms of the gaming machines according to the present invention will have touch screen elements associated with at least the screen 104 of video game and screen 105 of video of player control. All of the elements 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210 and 211 shown in Figure 2 are elements commonly associated with a personal computer. These elements are preferably mounted on the chassis of a standard personal computer and housed in a frame of a standard personal computer which is mounted in the cabinet 101 shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the various processing elements may be mounted on one or more circuit boards mounted within the cabinet 101 without a separate enclosure such as those found in personal computers. Those who are familiar with the information processing systems and the various data processing elements shown in Figure 2 will appreciate that many variations of this illustrated structure can be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, since serial communications are commonly employed from a touch screen element secured on a video display screen, a system according to the invention may not include a touch screen controller 215. separately. Rather, communications from the touch-sensitive screen elements can be accommodated through any suitable peripheral interface such as a USB controller or an IEEE 1394 controller. In this manner, the connections shown from the touch sensitive screen controller 215 Touching the various video display screens may alternately run from the video display screens (or more precisely the touch screen elements associated with the display screens) to the serial interface 211 or any other suitable interface. Numerous other variations in the internal structure and system of the gaming machine may be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that graphics processors are also commonly a part of modern computer systems. While two separate graphics processors 212 and 213 are shown to control the four display screens included in this form of the invention, it will be appreciated that a separate graphics processor may be included in the system for each particular display screen. It is also possible for a single graphics processor to control all of the video display screens mounted on the gaming machine 100. Generally, the invention is not limited to any particular array of graphics processors for controlling the various video display screens of the gaming machine, nor is the invention limited to gaming machines that use one or more special graphics processors separated from the main processor, CPU 205. In the illustrated gaming machine 100, the CPU 205 executes gaming computer programs that finally control the complete gaming machine 100 including the display provided through the display screens 104, 105, 107 and 108. The CPU 205 also executes computer programs related to the communications handled through the communication interface 210, and computer programs related to the various peripheral devices such as those connected to the system through the audio interface 209, the serial interface 211, and the driver 215 of touch sensitive screen or. The CPU 205 may also execute computer programs to perform accounting functions associated with the game play. RAM 206 provides memory to be used by the unit of central processing when executing its various computer programs while non-volatile memory 207 (also referred to herein as "mass storage") provides storage for other data generated or used in the course of the operation of the gaming machine. The communication interface 210 provides an interface to other components of a game system that may be involved in the game of the game. For example, some game machines rely on remote processing units to provide accounting functions associated with the game of the game and also to provide the game results. U.S. Patent No. 6,524,184 provides an example of a gaming system that includes player terminals and remote systems to provide results from game play records predetermined and stored in remote systems. Even where the results of the game game are determined in the game machine itself, the game machines are commonly interfaced with systems for accounting and control purposes, and the communications interface 210 may also provide an interface for such communications. . The communication interface 210 also provides an interface for a remote device that can communicate a game loading command to a gaming machine 100 as will be described in more detail below. The audio interface 209 provides an interface for an audio system that may be included in the gaming machine 100. The serial interface 211 provides an interface for serial devices such as player controls not incorporated into any touch-sensitive screen display , and possibly the touch screen elements themselves, and other player interface devices such as cash acceptors / confirmers, a player card reader, paired readers / printers, and coin / chip dispensers. The serial interface 211 may also provide an interface with several counters that may be included in the gaming machine 100 such as a progressive counter, for example. Commonly, a single serial interface device is used to communicate with a number of devices in series through a suitable serial protocol such as USB or IEEE 1394. However, it will be appreciated that additional serial interfaces may be employed depending on the nature of the serial interface. the serial protocols used for communications and the number of serial devices included in the gaming machine 100.

Those who are familiar with modern gaming machines will understand that gaming machine 100 will include basic components other than those shown in Figure 2, such as a power supply, cooling systems for the various processors, audio amplifiers and horns, as well as other devices that are common to gaming machines. These additional components are omitted from the drawings so as not to obscure the present invention with unnecessary details. Figure 2 also shows that the gaming machine 100 includes a collection arrangement 217 of gaming / enabling implemen- tation devices. The game implementation devices collection 217 includes a number of game implementation devices in conjunction with at least a portion of an enabling arrangement to selectively place any of the respective game implementation devices in an active and enabled state. The present invention encompasses a number of different types of game implementation devices and enabling arrangements. In the particular form of the invention shown in Figure 2, each game implementation device comprises an information carrier that stores certified and secure copies of the game implementation functional program code to be executed by the CPU 205. In this form of the invention, the state enabled for a game implementation device is a state in which the instructions of the program are read into the RAM 206 or other suitable memory and available to the CPU 205 and then executed by the CPU to implement a part of the game offered through the gaming machine 100. Modes of the present invention in which the game implementation device comprises a data carrier that stores functional program code may employ many different types of information bearers. For example, each information carrier may comprise a magnetic medium such as a disk or magnetic tape, an optical reading means such as an optical disk (CD or DVD, for example), an electronic data carrier such as a PROM. , EPROM, or a flash memory device or any other type of information carrier that currently exists or will be developed in the future. The particular enabling arrangement used in a given implementation of the invention will depend on the nature of the information carrier. Examples of different enabling arrangements will be described below in connection with Figures 3 to 6. The present invention is not limited to instances where the game implementation devices comprise information bearers that store operational program code. In some forms of the invention, the game implementation devices may each include one or more special purpose processing devices, or one or more general purpose processing devices in conjunction with functional memory storage program codes for be executed to implement one or more game functions. For example, a game implementation device according to the present invention may comprise a special-purpose processor, that is, a circuit, to determine a result for a game game given in the game. Instead of or in addition to a result determination circuit, a game implementation device may include a circuit adapted to identify data for use in the production of an appropriate display graphic on one or more of the video display screens 104, 105, 107 and 108 in view of a given result. As another example, a game implementation device according to the present invention may include a general-purpose processor in conjunction with a suitable memory device such as a PROM chip that carries a functional program code to be executed by the purpose processor. general. In forms of the present invention in which the game implementation devices include processing circuits, some or all of the processing performed by the CPU 205 in Figure 2 can be performed in its place by the game implementation device enabled in the game implementation devices. Thus, some forms of the invention may omit the CPU 205. It should also be noted that some forms of the present invention may include processing elements, random access memory, and non-volatile memory in a single game implementation device. Thus, not only the CPU 205, but also the RAM 206 and the non-volatile memory 207 can be omitted from a game machine according to the invention, and the functions of all those elements realized by components included in the respective devices game implementation.

Figures 3 and 4 show an example of a game implementation / enablement device collection array 300, having a carousel structure 301 that carries eight different game implementation devices 302. This combination of a collection set of game implementation / enabling devices can be used for the element 217 shown in Figure 2. The implementation devices 302 can include circuits that store functional program codes, circuits to perform the processing functions of game or both memory circuits and processing circuits. The game / enablement device collection array 300 also includes a motor 304 for driving the carousel structure 301, a socket or other connector 305 suitable for functionally coupling a selected device of the game implementation devices 302, and a handling structure 306 for moving any one of the game implementation devices from a position stored in the carousel structure to an operating position in the connector 305. The game implementation / enablement device collection arrangement 300 also includes a controller 307 for controlling the operation of the motor 304 of the carousel and the handling structure 306.

In the operation of the game implementation / enablement collection array 300, the controller 307 receives a game load instruction to place a particular device of the game implementation devices 302 in an enabled or active state. Preferably, the game implementation devices 302 are loaded at a known position in a carousel structure 301 and the instruction to the controller simply causes the controller 307 to drive the carousel structure to a position in which the game implementation device 302 desired is aligned with the handling structure 306 and the connector 305. Once the desired game implementation device 302 is aligned with the handling structure 306 and the connector 305, the handling structure comes in contact with a part of the device. of game implementation aligned and pulls the game implementation device upwards (in the orientation of both Figures 3 and 4) until the game implementation device is in the operating position, securely coupled with the connector 305 At this point the electrical contacts between the game implementation device 302 and the 305 connector allow the device to Game implementation works as required to implement the desired game or the desired part of the game. For example, wherein the game implementation device includes a circuit such as a flash memory circuit that stores a functional program code, the code can be accessed by a processing device (such as CPU 205 in Figure 2) when the game implementation device is in the operating position. The invention encompasses any arrangement suitable for coupling between the handling structure 306 and the respective game implementation device 302, aligned. The particular example shown in Figures 3 and 4 includes a coupling structure 308. This coupling structure 308 is connected at one end to a driving device 309 such as a suitable solenoid. The opposite end of the coupling structure 308 includes two separate slots 310 which are each adapted to receive a flange 311 extending from the game implementation device 302, aligned (as best seen in Figure 4). In this coupled position, the driving device 309 can operate to pull the matching implementation device 302, aligned and engaged, upward in the orientation of the figures toward functional engagement with the touchdown. Each game implementation device 302 is slidably mounted on the carousel 301 to facilitate movement along a radial line with respect to the rotation axis A of the carousel shown in Figure 3. Any suitable slidable arrangement can be used in the structure of the carousel. carousel to facilitate the desired movement of the respective game implementation device 302 between the stored and operating position. For example, each game implementation device 302 may be loaded in a slot providing a coupling with slight friction to maintain the game implementation device in the desired position on the carousel 301 until it is engaged and moved by the manipulation structure. 306. When it is no longer necessary to operatively couple a given game implementation device 302 in the connector 305, the handling structure 306 returns to the game implementation device to its position stored in the carousel 301. In the illustrated form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 the driving device 309 is urged to push the coupling structure 308 downwards in the orientation of the figures to remove the device from implementation 302 of the connector 305 and return it to its position stored in the carousel 301. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous and different arrangements can be used to selectively place a given device of the game implementation devices 302 in the Figure 3 and 4 in the operative position in which the functional program code and the information stored in the respective device 302 can be read by a suitable processing device such as the CPU 205 in Figure 2. For example, there are numerous forms of coupling a particular device of the game implementation devices 302 to bring it into functional contact with the connector 305. Numerous drive arrangements can be employed in place of a solenoid for the driving device 309. For example, a pinion gear can be driven by a suitable motor to drive a zipper which in turn makes the coupling structure 308 is moved as required to the position of the game implementation device 302, aligned. Also, some forms of the invention may not include a separate controller and associated with the game implementation / enablement device collection array 300. Other forms of the invention can control the driving device 309 and the motor 304 of the carousel directly through signals from a processing device such as the CPU 205 in FIG. 2. The collection arrangement 300 of game implementation devices / enable shown in Figures 3 and 4 is suitable for many different types of game implementation devices. For example, each game implementation device can be a flash memory device with a USB or IEEE 1394 connector. In this case, connector 305 would be the corresponding USB or IEEE 1394 connector. Array 300 is also suitable for use with deployment devices Each game consists of a circuit board that has a suitable edge connector. For example, each game implementation device 302 in Figures 3 and 4 may be a PCI card carrying one or more processing devices, one or more memory devices, and additional circuits for the implementation of a game or a part of a game according to the present invention. In this example, the edge connector would be a PCI male connector and the connector 305 would be the corresponding PCI slot connector.

Any other suitable connection arrangement can be used to provide the desired functional connection between the selected game implementation device 302 in the operating position and the connector 305. Any other standard interface can be used to connect to the selected game implementation device 302. in accordance with the present invention such as an EIDE, PCI, SCSI interface or any future standard interface. Also, a custom interface can be used to functionally connect a selected game implementation device 302 in the operative position. Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of collection of game implementation / enabling devices 500 within the scope of the present invention. In this arrangement, each game implementation device 502 is associated with a respective driving device 504 and a respective connector 505. In particular, Figure 5 shows six different game implementation devices 502, each mounted on a respective carrier 506. Each game implementation device 502 is adapted to be placed on its respective carrier 506 alternatively in a stored / retracted position or an operative / extended operation under the control of the respective driving device 504. In the retracted position, a respective device Game implementation 502 is disabled and unable to implement any part of a game or affect the operation of the game machine. However, when a given one of the game implementation devices 502 is in the operating position in its respective connector 505, the respective game implementation device is operable to implement a part or all of a given game that is available in the gaming machine in which the collection arrangement of game implementation / enabling devices 500 is included. As in the game implementation / enablement device collection arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4, each game implementation device 502 may be a circuit device such as a flash memory for storing a functional program code, or a processing device, or a circuit board or other package that carries one or more memory devices and one or more processing devices. Also as with the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the coupling between the respective game implementation device 502 and its respective connector 505 can be any suitable coupling that allows that the respective game implementation device performs its desired function to implement all or a part of a game. Each drive device 504 is a solenoid, rack and pinion arrangement or other gear drive arrangement, or any other device capable of selectively shifting the respective game implementation device 502 on its respective carrier between the retracted and operating position. A separate controller 508 is included in array 500 illustrated to generate the control signal or signals required to operate each of the respective drive devices 504. In the operation of the game implementation / enablement device collection array 500 shown in FIG. Figure 5, the array receives a game load instruction to place one of the game implementation devices 502 in a functionally enabled state coupled with its respective connector 505. This game loading instruction causes the controller 508 to send a signal suitable drive or control to the respective drive 504 associated with the game implementation device 502, selected, to move the game implementation device to the left in the orientation of Figure 5 towards an operative coupling with the respective connector 505 Once the operational coupling with the respective co nector 505 is no longer necessary, the controller 508 can produce an appropriate signal to cause the driving device 504 associated with the selected game implementation device 502 to retract the game implementation device from the connector back to the retracted position. As with the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the game implementation / enablement device collection arrangement 500 shown in Figure 5 preferably stores the various game implementation devices 502 at known positions. In this way, the controller 508 can easily direct the desired game implementation device 502 to be moved to the enabled state, operatively coupled with its respective connector 505. Differently, the mode shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the modality shown in Figure 5 has the possibility of leaving two or more of the different game implementation devices in an enabled state. In this way, the different game implementation devices can be mixed and coordinated to implement a game dice. For example, a game implementation device may include a circuit that produces a random result for a game, while another game implementation device may include a program code or a processor to produce graphics instructions to activate display screens of the gaming machine (such as the display screen devices 104, 105, 107 and 108 of the gaming machine 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2). The same game implementation device 502 that functions to produce graphics for a game can alternatively be used with two or more different game implementation devices that produce different results and which can, for example, provide different distributions of winners. Figure 6 shows yet another alternative embodiment for a game implementation / enablement device collection array shown with reference numeral 217 in Figure 2. This game implementation / enablement device collection arrangement 600 includes a 601 bus to which a number of different game implementation devices 602 are connected. Figure 6 shows five game implementation devices 602, separated and connected to a bus 601 through a suitable connection 605. As in the embodiments of Figures 3, 4 and 5, the game implementation devices 602 can comprise any suitable circuit device, circuit board, or other circuit carrying device that carries one or more memory circuits storing a functional program code and / or one or more general purpose or special purpose processing circuits. The connection between each of the game implementation devices 602 and the bus 601 can be any of the connection types described above with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Also, the connections used in the embodiment of Figure 6 can be permanent connections or by welding, such as C4 connections for example. Bus 601 can be a system bus (such as bus 208 shown in Figure 2) or any other suitable communication bus on which the desired signals can be communicated to the other components of the gaming machine. For example, the bus may comprise a USB type bus and each of the contact sockets may comprise a USB connector. In this USB example, each game implementation device 602 would include a USB interface and a USB controller (not shown) could provide an interface between the bus of type USB 601 and the bus of the system of the game machine. Alternatively, bus 601 could be a PCI bus, a SCSI bus, or some non-standard / custom-made bus. The different collection arrangements of game implementation / enabling devices described above with reference to Figures 3 to 6 are particularly well suited for instances of the present invention in which the game implementation devices are circuit devices, circuit boards. , or other circuit carriers. In other forms of the present invention, some or all of the game implementation devices may be read-only memory devices such as CD-ROMs or DVD ROMs, for example, and the enabling arrangement may be a CD or DVD changer . In these forms of the invention, the CD or DVD changer can interface with the other components of the gaming machine in any way that is appropriate. For example, said CD or DVD changer may be based on a PCI, SCSI, EIDE, USB, IEEE 1394, or any other suitable interface. Regardless of the particular interface employed, a CD or DVD in this form of CD or DVD changer of the invention could preferably be enabled by having a program code and information required to implement a given game read from the CD or DVD in memory associated with the juice machine. The program code would then be executed with a processing device associated with the gaming machine such as CPU 205 in the example gaming machine shown in Figure 2. It will be appreciated from the aforementioned device collection arrangements of game implementation / enabling that the meaning of a "enabled state" for a given game implementation device depends on the nature of the game implementation device and how it is used in the given game machine. For example, wherein one or more processing devices conform a game implementation device, a state enabled for the game implementation device is that state in which it is operatively connected in the gaming machine and is capable of communicating with the other components of the game machine. Wherein the game implementation device is comprised of a device such as a memory circuit or information carrier such as a CD or DVD that stores a functional program code, the state enabled for the implementation device The game state is a state in which the processing device such as the CPU 205 in Figure 2 can access and execute the functional program code to implement the desired game or the desired part of a game. The me for securely configuring a game machine capable of being configured, in accordance with the present invention can be described with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 7. The me includes housing an amount of the game implementation devices. (302 in Figures 3 and 4, 502 in Figure 5, and 602 in Figure 6) in a gaming machine as shown in process block 701 in Figure 7. The me also includes receiving a command of game load / game change as indicated in process block 702. In response to the game load / game change command, the me includes enabling one or more game implementation devices 302/502/602 as shown in process block 703. The me subsequently includes making a game as dictated by the enabled game implementation device (s) as shown in process block 704. The process shown in Figure 7 enables a gaming machine, such as the gaming machine 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, to be configured securely to change a game offered in the gaming machine or at least to change a game. or more features of a game provided in the gaming machine. For example, before performing the steps indicated in blocks 702, 703 and 704 in Figure 7, a game machine may be configured to offer a first game. The steps in blocks 702 and 703 can then be performed to re-configure the game machine to offer a second game that can be carried out as indicated in process block 704. These first and second games can be games that they are not related in any way. For example, the first game implemented in the gaming machine 100 can be a video poker game and the steps in the blocks 702 and 703 can be performed to reconfigure the gaming machine to offer a reel-type game (of type slot machine). As another example, the first game could be a video poker game with a certain theme or graphics presentation, and the second game to which the game machine is configured can be a video poker game with a different graphics theme , but with game features identical to e of the first game.

The invention encompasses a number of different ways of accommodating a number of game implementation devices in a gaming machine. Some forms of the invention accommodate all of the game implementation devices in a single secure area within the gaming machine, which is accessible only to auized personnel of the gaming facility operator or the machine supplier of the gaming machine. game. As described above with respect to Figures 3 to 6, the game implementation devices 302/502/602 themselves may vary widely within the scope of the invention from media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, to memory circuits electronic, to general or special purpose data processing devices, to combinations of memory circuits and general or special purpose data processing devices. The invention embraces any way of receiving the game load / game change command in the gaming machine. In some forms of the invention, the game load / game change command can be received from a remote processing device in a networked gaming system in which the gaming machine is included. In other forms of the invention, the game load / game change command can be received through a player input device which is located in the gaming machine. A game machine itself can be configured to produce a game load / game change command under certain circumstances detected by the game machine, for example, inactivity in the gaming machine during a certain period of time or at certain times of the day when the gaming machine is not being used by a player. Other forms of the invention may be configured to receive the game load / game change command either from a remote system or from a user interface in the gaming machine. Regardless of where the game load / game change command originates, said command may have any appropriate form. In each case, the game load / game change command will identify a game to which the game machine will change and / or the individual game implementation devices that must be enabled for the purpose of allowing the game machine to carry out the desired game. In some preferred forms of the invention, the game load / game change command comprises a code that invites to perform the desired action. For example, a controller associated with a game implementation / enablement device collection arrangement (such as a controller 307 in Figure 7 for example) can interpret a game load / game change command code to identify the game device or devices. Game implementation that must be enabled to perform a given game. As another example, a controller such as controller 307 may receive a game load / game change command code and be required to locate the game implementation device (s) required and necessary to implement a game indicated by the code. In yet other forms of the invention, the same game load / game change command may include information that directly identifies which game implementation device (s) to place in the state enabled by the location of the device (s). (s) of game implementation in the respective collection arrangement of game implementation / enabling devices (such as 300, 500 and 600 in Figures 3, 5 and 6, respectively). The steps required to enable the game implementation device (s) required for the respective game associated with the game load / game change command will depend on the nature of the game implementation device and the arrangement of habilitation. For example, the enabling of a game implementation device may include moving one or more game implementation devices from a stored or retracted position to an operational position fimcionally connected to a suitable connector such as that shown in the embodiment of the Figures. 3 and 4 and the embodiment of Figure 5. In these arrangements, once each required game implementation device is in the operative position, the enabling process may include a startup or initialization sequence that must be performed to place the respective game implementation device in the enabled state. Where the game enablement arrangement includes an arrangement such as that shown in Figure 6, the stage shown in the process block 703 in Figure 7 may simply include the addressing of the game implementation device (s). on the bus. Wherein a particular game implementation device (302/502/602) stores a functional program code that must be executed by a processing device such as the CPU 205 shown in Figure 2, enabling the game implementation device includes the placement of the implementation device game in a position where the code can be read from the device. Enabling said game implementation device also includes reading the code and placing it in a condition where it can be executed by an appropriate processing device. Where one or more game implementation devices comprises an information carrier such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, the enabling step shown in the process block 703 in Figure 7 will include the placement of the information carrier required in a reading position on the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM changer, and reading the required functional program code. In any of the modalities of the game implementation / enablement device collection arrangement, it will be appreciated that the stage shown in the process block 703 in Figure 7 may also include the disabling of one or more game implementation devices that were previously enabled to implement a previous game offered by the gaming machine. For example, where an ongoing game offered through a gaming machine uses a game implementation device that includes a processing device for the generation of results, that gaming implementation device must be placed in a disabled state if a new game that is going to be offered in the gaming machine gets its results in some other way, such as according to some other algorithm or from a remote network component. The placement of a game implementation device in a disabled state may require the removal of the device from its connector (such as connector 305 in Figure 3). Alternatively, where a game implementation device only stores a functional program code executed by a game machine processor (such as CPU 205 in Figure 2) the placement of the game implementation device in a disabled state may include erasing or unassigning memory locations available to the processing device that previously stored the functional program code. The specific processes or functions that are performed by the process block 704 in Figure 7 will also depend on the nature of the game implementation devices used in the gaming machine and the nature of the enabling arrangement. The steps performed by the process block 704 will also depend on the nature of the game to be performed on the gaming machine. For example, the realization of a game that requires the determination of results on a remote device includes communication with that remote device (such as a lottery ticket server or bingo game results server) to obtain the result and subsequently produce an appropriate graphical presentation to show the result. Other games can be based on determined results in the same game machine. The realization of this type of games includes the determination of the result in the game machine and the production of a graphic representation to show the result. In any case, whether it is the remote determination of results or the local determination of results, the realization of the game will include the generation of functions for the video display screen devices to make those devices present the desired graphics. A given game implementation device may include a processing element and / or program code used to generate these graphics instructions or at least participate in the generation of the graphics instructions. The preferred embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but do not limit the scope of the invention. Various other modalities and modifications of these preferred embodiments may be performed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A gaming machine, which includes: (a) a number of game implementation devices, each respective game implementation device being operable to implement at least a part of a respective game in the gaming machine when the respective game implementation device is in a position enabled in the gaming machine; (b) an enabling arrangement for selectively placing any of the respective game implementation devices in an enabled state; and (c) a video display screen for displaying portions of graphics of a respective one of the games when the respective game is implemented in the gaming machine. The gaming machine of claim 1, which further includes a processing device for energizing the display screen to produce the graph portions of the respective set of games that are being implemented in the gaming machine. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein each of the respective game implementation devices includes a circuit bearer containing at least one electronic circuit device. The gaming machine of claim 3, wherein the enabling arrangement includes at least one touchdown and a manipulation device for selectively inserting or withdrawing a respective one of the circuit carriers at the touchdown. The gaming machine of claim 1, which further includes a processing device, wherein each of the respective game implementation devices comprises a memory device that stores a functional program code, and wherein the state enabled enables the processing device to execute the functional program code stored by the respective memory device. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein each respective memory device comprises a read-only memory device. 7. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the enabling arrangement comprises a memory device changer for selectively accessing one of the memory devices. The gaming machine of claim 1, which further includes at least two additional display screens for presenting portions of additional graphics of the respective game of the games that are implemented in the gaming machine. 9. A method, which includes the following steps: (a) housing a number of game implementation devices in a secure area of a gaming machine, each respective gaming implementation device being operable when in an enabled state to implement at least a portion of a respective game in the gaming machine; (b) selecting a respective one of the game implementation devices in response to a game load command and placing the selected game implementation device in a enabled state; and (c) performing a game on the game machine, the game being performed at least in part through the respective game implementation device that is in the enabled state. The method of claim 9, wherein positioning the selected game implementation device in the enabled state includes inserting a circuit carrier into a contact socket. The method of claim 9, wherein the placement of the selected game implementation device in the enabled state includes placing an information bearer in a position of reading the information in an information bearer changer. The method of claim 9, wherein the placement of the selected game implementation device in the enabled state includes reading the implementation information and instructions from the respective implementation device in the enabled state. 13. The method of claim 9, which further includes the step of receiving the game load command from a separate processing device over a network coication path. The method of claim 9, which further includes the step of generating the game load command in the gaming machine in response to an input signal from a player. 15. A program product stored in at least one media capable of being read by a machine, which includes: (a) a game enable program code capable of being executed to selectively enable a respective game implementation device in response to a game load command, the respective game implementation device being selected from among a number of different game implementation devices, each respective game implementation device being operable when in a respective state enabled to implement at least a part of a game offered in a gaming machine; and (b) a command program code capable of being executed to receive a selection entry and generate the game load command in response to the game selection entry. 16. The program product of claim 15, wherein the command program code is executed by a processing device in the gaming machine and further including a player interface program code to enable a player in the gaming machine. game to enter the game selection entry. The program product of claim 15, wherein the command program code is executed by a remote processing device of the gaming machine and further including a coications program code that configures the gaming machine to receive the game load command over a coications network. 18. The program product of claim 15, wherein the game enablement program code is executed to direct a respective game implementation device of the game implementation devices from among the number of different game implementation devices. . 19. The program product of claim 15, wherein the game enable program code is executed to place a respective game implementation device of the game implementation devices in a touchdown to facilitate coications to and from the game. game implementation device. 208. The program product of claim 15, wherein the game enable program code is executed to place a respective game implementation device of the game implementation devices in a read position in a media changer.