Gaming apparatus

Claim 2

The system of claim 1 wherein the controller interface further comprises data bus drivers in communication with the universal game controller.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further comprises an address decoder.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further comprises nonvolatile random access memory.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further comprises read only memory for storing gaming system programs.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further comprises an identification module, having an identifier unique to the gaming system.

Claim 7

The system of claim 6, wherein the identification module is a silicon serial number.

Claim 8

The system of claim 1, wherein the universal game control system further comprises a game operating system controller, including read only memory for storing gaming system operating system programs.

Claim 9

The system of claim 8, wherein the game operating system controller further comprises flash memory for storing a gaming program unique to the gaming system.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1, wherein the universal controller further comprises flash memory for storing a gaming program unique to the gaming system.

Claim 11

The system of claim 1, wherein the flash memory includes a removable memory card.

Claim 12

The system of claim 1, comprising a logic communication bus for handling logic level signals between the interface controller and the game translator system.

Claim 13

The system of claim 12, the gaming devices including a first gaming device having a game event signal type, and the game translator system operates to translate the game event between the logic level signals and the game event signal type.

Claim 14

The system of claim 13, wherein the game translator system includes a driver/receiver module for operating to translate the game event between the logic level signal and the event signal type.

Claim 15

The system of claim 14, wherein the driver/receiver module is a voltage converter.

Claim 16

The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming system is a video gaming system.

Claim 17

The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming system is a mechanical reel-based slot machine; having a location sensor device and a mechanical reel device; and wherein the game translator system includes a receiver for handling game events associated with the location sensor device and a driver for handling game events associated with the mechanical reel device.

Claim 18

A computerized wagering gaming system comprising: a universal computerized game system operable to control a computerized wagering game, including a controller interface and a universal controller for processing game and operating system instructions; game system devices; and a game translator system, wherein the controller interface operates as an interface between the universal controller and the game translator system.

Claim 20

A process for modifying game controls in a casino wagering system comprising: removing a motherboard from a gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a monitor, a motherboard comprising memory for executing game rules and game rules; and replacing the mother board with a computerized wagering gaming system including a universal computerized game system operable to control a computerized wagering game, including a controller interface and a universal controller for processing game and operating system instruction, and a game translator system for translating game events between game system devices and the universal game control system, wherein the controller interface operates as an interface between the universal controller and the game translator system.

Claim 21

The process of claim 20, further comprising operating the casino wagering system.

Claim 22

The process of claim 20, further comprising playing an existing game on the casino wagering system.

Claim 23

The process of claim 20, further comprising operating the game via a gaming operating system on the universal computerized game system, using existing gaming system devices.

Claim 24

A computerised wagering gaming machine, comprising: value input means operable to increase a credit value associated with a game player; player input devices operable by a player to input game instructions; display means for displaying game or credit value information to a player; value output means for delivering credit to a player; a universal programmable game system comprising a universal controller for processing game instructions and operating system instructions; a controller interface for providing input signals to the universal controller and receiving output signals from the universal controller; and a game translator system operable to receive the output signals from the controller interface in a first format and to provide device output signals to the value input means, player input devices, display means or value output means on the basis of the received output signals in respective second formats, and operable to receive device input signals from the value input means, player input devices, display means or value output means in said respective second formats and to provide signals to the controller interface in said first format on the basis of the received device input signals.

Claim 25

A wagering gaming machine controller assembly for fitting to a wagering gaming machine having a number of specific peripheral devices for supplying device input signals to, and receiving output signals from, a game controller in a second format, the gaming machine controller assembly comprising: a universal gaming machine controller programmable to receive input signals in a first format, to execute a game program and to provide output signals in said first format; and a game translator operable to receive signals in said first format from said universal gaming machine controller and to provide corresponding signals to peripheral devices in said second format, and operable to receive input signals from said peripheral devices in said second format and to provide corresponding input signals to said universal gaming machine controller in said first format.

Claim 26

A game translator for a wagering gaming machine controller, the translator comprising: first input/output means for receiving input signals from, and providing output signals to, a universal gaming machine controller in a first signal format; second input/output means for receiving input signals from and providing output signals to a number of peripheral devices of a wagering gaming machine in a second signal format; and translation circuitry linked to said first and second input/output means and operable to generate and output signals in said second format from said second input/output means in response to input signals received by said first input/output means in said first format, and to generate and output signals in said first format from said first input/output means in response to input signals received by said second input/output means in said second format.