Patent US6135887A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6135887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Peripheral device download method and apparatus
Assignee: I G T
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Filing: 1998-06-01
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2018-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Memories in peripherals, coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes transmitting information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. The information is then transmitted from the gaming terminal to the peripheral device, preferably without the need for control by the external information source.
Inventors
- 👤 Logan L. Pease
- 👤 Robert Luciano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:36
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; A63F13/12; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/30; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G07F17/3225; G07F17/323; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/206; A63F2300/50; A63F2300/55; A63F2300/552
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for providing first information for storage in a first memory of a peripheral device coupled to a computer terminal comprising: providing said first memory as a programmable memory, wherein said first memory is directly associated with said peripheral device; transmitting said first information from an external source over a communications link to said computer terminal; transmitting said first information from said computer terminal for receipt by said peripheral device; storing said first information in said first memory; using said first information during operation of said peripheral device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for providing first information for storage in a first memory of a peripheral device coupled to a computer terminal comprising: providing said first memory as a programmable memory, wherein said first memory is directly associated with said peripheral device; transmitting said first information from an external source over a communications link to said computer terminal; transmitting said first information from said computer terminal for receipt by said peripheral device; storing said first information in said first memory; using said first information during operation of said peripheral device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is a currency acceptor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is a card reader.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is a coin acceptor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first memory is selected from among EEPROM and flash memory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external source is a portable source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said portable source is a portable computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting comprises transmitting said first information over an optical link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external source is a central computer coupled to a plurality of computer terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication link is a local area network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting said first information from an external source is performed before said step of transmitting said first information from said computer terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
222 words
An electronic gaming system with a capability for peripheral device reprogramming comprising: a central computer external to a plurality of gaming terminals and coupled by a local area network to said plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal including a microprocessor, a memory and a communications module; at least first and second peripheral devices coupled to at least first and second of said plurality of gaming terminals, respectively, each of said first and second peripheral devices including a processor and a communications module coupled to said communications module of a gaming terminal; a memory for holding a program which determines the manner in which said processor of said peripheral device operates; wherein said central computer and first and second gaming terminals are configured to transmit a first program from said central computer to said first and second gaming terminals for receipt by said communication modules of said first and second gaming terminals and storage in said memories of said first and second gaming terminals; and wherein said first and second gaming terminals and first and second peripheral devices are configured to transmit said program from said first and second gaming terminals to said first and second peripheral devices for storage in said memories of said first and second peripheral devices for use in controlling operation of said first and second peripheral devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
222 words
An electronic gaming system with a capability for peripheral device reprogramming comprising: a central computer external to a plurality of gaming terminals and coupled by a local area network to said plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal including a microprocessor, a memory and a communications module; at least first and second peripheral devices coupled to at least first and second of said plurality of gaming terminals, respectively, each of said first and second peripheral devices including a processor and a communications module coupled to said communications module of a gaming terminal; a memory for holding a program which determines the manner in which said processor of said peripheral device operates; wherein said central computer and first and second gaming terminals are configured to transmit a first program from said central computer to said first and second gaming terminals for receipt by said communication modules of said first and second gaming terminals and storage in said memories of said first and second gaming terminals; and wherein said first and second gaming terminals and first and second peripheral devices are configured to transmit said program from said first and second gaming terminals to said first and second peripheral devices for storage in said memories of said first and second peripheral devices for use in controlling operation of said first and second peripheral devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electronic gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said peripheral devices comprise currency acceptors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for providing first information for storage in a first memory of a peripheral device coupled to a computer gaming terminal, said first memory being a programmable memory, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting said first information from an external source to said computer gaming terminal; means for transmitting said first information from said computer terminal for receipt by said peripheral device; and means for storing said first information in said first memory for use during operation of said peripheral device, wherein said first memory is coupled to said peripheral device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for providing first information for storage in a first memory of a peripheral device coupled to a computer gaming terminal, said first memory being a programmable memory, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting said first information from an external source to said computer gaming terminal; means for transmitting said first information from said computer terminal for receipt by said peripheral device; and means for storing said first information in said first memory for use during operation of said peripheral device, wherein said first memory is coupled to said peripheral device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5142624A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |