Input/output interface and device abstraction
View Patent ↗An electronic Input/Output Interface and device abstraction system used in gaming machines includes: a game central processing unit (game “CPU”); an intelligent input/output controller board (“IOCB”); an Industry Standard Architecture PC bus (“ISA” bus); and a framed message transport protocol. The IOCB facilitates communications between the game CPU and virtual device services, which are peripheral devices associated with the gaming system. The game CPU communicates to gaming peripherals by sending virtual device messages across the ISA bus to the IOCB. The IOCB routes virtual device messages to appropriate virtual device services. Virtual device services are responsible for handling specific hardware, and include virtual device drivers on the game CPU that communicate with virtual devices on the IOCB. Use of the IOCB and the high speed interface enables the game CPU to use more of its available functions for controlling gaming functions rather than one operation of its associated peripheral devices.
1. A gaming machine comprising:
a main game processor configured to process game play instructions, and forming a part of a main microprocessor board;
a device adapted to interface with said main game processor, the device having a unique device virtual identity code for identifying said device; and
an input/output controller including:
(1) a communication interface connected to said main game processor and communicable with said device;
(2) a processing unit configured to identify said device using said device virtual identity code, and to enable communication between said device and said main game processor by routing command messages from said main game processor to said device that is identified using said device virtual identity code, and wherein said input/output controller provides an abstraction of attributes and commands for control of said device, said abstraction allowing said main game processor to communicate with said device via said input/output controller while being isolated from variations in device configuration, said abstraction applying to both a hardware arrangement for said device and a protocol of communicating with said device, wherein said input/output controller unloads at least a portion of control of said device from said main game processor to reduce a load on said main game processor;
(3) a secure storage memory, said secure storage memory having a lockout device responsive to an unlocking code for unlocking and accessing said secure storage memory; and
(4) a power monitoring module configured to monitor power, and wherein said input/output controller communicates with said power monitoring module to determine an imminent power failure and prevent access to said secure storage memory.
2. A gaming machine according to claim 1 , and wherein said lockout device is controllable by said main game processor.
3. A gaming machine according to claim 2 , and wherein said main game processor generates the unlocking code.
4. A gaming machine according to claim 1 , and wherein said power monitoring module is communicatively coupled to said processing unit of said input/output controller.
5. A gaming machine according to claim 1 , and wherein said secure storage memory is non-volatile.
6. A gaming machine according to claim 1 , and wherein said secure storage memory is accessible following an unlock procedure.
7. A gaming machine according to claim 6 , and wherein said unlock procedure is issued by said main game processor.