Removable module and adapter for electronic gaming machine and associated methods
An electronic gaming machine has memory components configured for easy removal during programming or validation procedures. A module may carry first and second memory devices on a module board having a module connector configured to removably attach to a baseboard carrying a processor. Accordingly, multiple memory devices may be removed and reinstalled together as a unit. An adapter may be provided to allow connection of the module to an interface device having a standard interface connector. The module may also provide status information regarding the execution of code stored on one or more of the memory devices.
1. A method of interfacing memory contents associated with an electronic gaming machine with an interface device, the method comprising:
coupling an adapter to the interface device, the adapter including an adapter switch having at least a first state and a second state;
coupling a module to the adapter, the module including a first device having a first memory for storing a first set of data associated with the electronic gaming machine, the first set of data comprising basic input output system (BIOS) code, and a second device having a second memory for storing a second set of data associated with the electronic gaming machine, the second set of data comprising second, different code;
placing the adapter switch in the first state to communicatively couple the first device to the interface device;
accessing the first memory using the interface device;
placing the adapter switch in the second state to communicatively couple the second device to the interface device; and
accessing the second memory using the interface device.
2. The method of claim 1 , in which the second set of data comprises jurisdictional code.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before coupling the module to the adapter, detaching the module from a baseboard of the electronic gaming machine.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising, after accessing the second memory using the interface device:
detaching the module from the interface device; and
coupling the module to the baseboard so that the first and second memories are communicatively coupled to a processor of the electronic gaming machine.
5. The method of claim 1 , in which the interface device comprises a verification device, in which accessing the first memory comprises validating the first memory, and in which accessing the second memory comprises validating the second memory.
6. The method of claim 1 , in which the interface device comprises a programming device, in which accessing the first memory comprises programming the first memory, and in which accessing the second memory comprises programming the second memory.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, during accessing the first memory, determining status information associated with the first memory.
8. The method of claim 7 , in which the status information comprises checkpoint codes, the method further comprising accessing the checkpoint codes through a code display device provided on the module.
9. The method of claim 1 , in which the module includes a third device having a third memory for storing a third set of data associated with the electronic gaming machine, the method further comprising storing operational data on the third memory.
10. A module accessible by an interface device and having memory contents associated with an electronic gaming machine configured to execute a wagering game, the module comprising:
a module board;
a first device coupled to the module board and having a first memory configured to store a first set of data associated with the wagering game, the first set of data comprising basic input output system (BIOS) code;
a second device coupled to the module board and having a second memory configured to store a second set of data associated with the wagering game, the second set of data comprising second, different code; and
a module connector coupled to the module board and configured for removable coupling to the interface device, the module connector having a first module contact communicatively coupled to the first device and a second module contact communicatively coupled to the second device.
11. The module of claim 10 , in which the second set of data comprises jurisdictional code.
12. The module of claim 10 , in which the module further comprises a status indicator operably coupled to the first memory and configured to display status information associated with the first memory.
13. The module of claim 12 , in which the status indicator comprises a first status display configured to indicate that the module is coupled to a power source, a second status display configured to indicate that the first memory has initiated a power on self test (POST) associated with the BIOS code, a third status display configured to indicate that the first memory has completed the POST, and a fourth status display configured to indicate that a memory validation has passed.
14. The module of claim 10 , in which the BIOS code includes a power on self test (POST) which generates checkpoint codes indicating BIOS execution status, and in which the module further includes a POST code display module coupled to the module board and configured to access the checkpoint codes.
15. The module of claim 10 , in which the module further comprises a manufacturing device coupled to the module board and having a third memory.
16. A module assembly for coupling an interface device having an interface connector to memory contents associated with a baseboard of an electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine having a processor communicatively coupled to a baseboard connector, the module assembly comprising:
a module including:
a module board;
a first device coupled to the module board and having a first memory configured to store a first set of data associated with the electronic gaming machine, the first set of data comprising basic input output system (BIOS) code;
a second device coupled to the module board and having a second memory configured to store a second set of data associated with the electronic gaming machine, the second set of data comprising second, different code;
a module connector coupled to the module board and configured for removable attachment to the baseboard connector, the module connector having a first module contact communicatively coupled to the first device and a second module contact communicatively coupled to the second device; and
an adapter including:
an adapter input connector configured to engage the module connector and including a first adapter input contact configured to engage the first module contact and a second adapter input contact configured to engage the second module contact; and
an adapter output connector configured to engage the interface connector; and a switch having a first position, in which the first adapter input contact is communicatively coupled to the output connector, and a second position, in which the second adapter input contact is communicatively coupled to the output connector.
17. The module assembly of claim 16 , in which the second set of data comprises jurisdictional code.
18. The module assembly of claim 16 , in which the module further comprises a status indicator operably coupled to the first memory and configured to display status information associated with the first memory.
19. The module assembly of claim 18 , in which the status indicator comprises a first status display configured to indicate that the module is coupled to a power source, a second status display configured to indicate that the first memory has initiated a power on self test (POST) associated with the BIOS code, a third status display configured to indicate that the first memory has completed the POST, and a fourth status display configured to indicate that a memory validation has passed.
20. The module assembly of claim 16 , in which the BIOS code includes a power on self test (POST) which generates checkpoint codes indicating BIOS execution status, and in which the module further includes a POST code display module coupled to the module board and configured to access the checkpoint codes.