US6117010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaming device with a serial connection
Assignee: LNW Gaming Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-05
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2019-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A gaming device comprising a cabinet, a door, a game control unit, a printed circuit board and an input/output microcontroller. The door is hingedly connected to the cabinet. The game control unit is housed within the cabinet. The printed circuit board is mounted to the door and disposed inside the cabinet. The printed circuit board carries a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. The input/output microcontroller, which performs many of the functions conventionally performed by the game control unit, is mounted to the printed circuit board and connected to the game control unit by a serial link. The microcontroller is coupled to the switches to inform the game control unit of the condition of each of the switches. The microcontroller is coupled to the light sources to turn the light sources on and off.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Canterbury
- 👤 Timothy C. Loose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:57
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A gaming device comprising: a game control unit; a printed circuit board carrying a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and an input/output microcontroller mounted to said printed circuit board and connected to said game control unit by a serial link, said microcontroller being coupled to said switches to inform said game control unit of the condition of each of said switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A gaming device comprising: a game control unit; a printed circuit board carrying a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and an input/output microcontroller mounted to said printed circuit board and connected to said game control unit by a serial link, said microcontroller being coupled to said switches to inform said game control unit of the condition of each of said switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said serial link comprises a universal serial bus, RS-232, RS-485 or Ethernet link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The gaming device of claim 1, further comprising: a button panel mounted in proximity to said printed circuit board; a plurality of buttons mounted to said button panel; and a plurality of actuators coupled to said respective buttons and disposed to actuate said respective switches in response to pressing said respective buttons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller scans said switches to determine whether each of said switches is in the actuated or non-actuated condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The gaming device of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller debounces said switches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The gaming device of claim 1, further comprising: a light source mounted on said printed circuit board, wherein said microcontroller determines when to illuminate said light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gaming device of claim 6, wherein said microcontroller refreshes said light source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a door hingedly connected to said cabinet; a game control unit housed within said cabinet; a printed circuit board mounted to said door and disposed inside said cabinet, said printed circuit board carrying a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and an input/output microcontroller mounted to said printed circuit board and connected to said game control unit by a serial link, said microcontroller being coupled to said switches to inform said game control unit of the condition of each of said switches, said microcontroller being coupled to said light sources to turn said light sources on and off.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a door hingedly connected to said cabinet; a game control unit housed within said cabinet; a printed circuit board mounted to said door and disposed inside said cabinet, said printed circuit board carrying a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and an input/output microcontroller mounted to said printed circuit board and connected to said game control unit by a serial link, said microcontroller being coupled to said switches to inform said game control unit of the condition of each of said switches, said microcontroller being coupled to said light sources to turn said light sources on and off.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gaming device of claim 8, wherein said serial link comprises a universal serial bus, RS-232, RS-485 or Ethernet link.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The gaming device of claim 8, further comprising: a button panel mounted to said door in proximity to said printed circuit board; a plurality of buttons mounted to said button panel; and a plurality of actuators coupled to said respective buttons and disposed to actuate said respective switches in response to pressing said respective buttons.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The gaming device of claim 8, wherein said microcontroller scans said switches to determine whether each of said switches is in the actuated or non-actuated condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The gaming device of claim 8, wherein said microcontroller debounces said switches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gaming device of claim 8, wherein said microcontroller refreshes said light sources.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
A gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a door hingedly connected to said cabinet; a game control unit housed within said cabinet; a printed circuit board mounted to said door and disposed inside said cabinet, said printed circuit board carrying a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and microprocessor means for scanning and debouncing said switches, informing said game control unit of the condition of each of said switches, turning said light sources on and off, and refreshing said light sources, said microprocessor means being mounted to said printed circuit board and connected to said game control unit by a serial link.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A gaming device comprising: a cabinet; a door hingedly connected to said cabinet; a game control unit housed within said cabinet; a printed circuit board mounted to said door and disposed inside said cabinet, said printed circuit board carrying a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition; and microprocessor means for scanning and debouncing said switches, informing said game control unit of the condition of each of said switches, turning said light sources on and off, and refreshing said light sources, said microprocessor means being mounted to said printed circuit board and connected to said game control unit by a serial link.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |