Network gaming device peripherals

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for providing peripheral devices that are accessible via the gaming network. The peripheral devices may be accessible to other gaming machines in the network. The peripheral devices may be accessible through the network by an operator or administrator. In one embodiment, an interface device referred to as an IPX (Internet Protocol Exchange) is used to connect the peripheral devices together and to connect them to the gaming network. Any MPU can then communicate with any peripheral on the network. Any peripheral device may send to and receive data from any other device on the network. In another embodiment, the IPX is used for intelligent routing so that legacy devices not originally designed to work within a gaming network may be added to the network. One embodiment uses a protocol such as TWX for routing of data.

1 . A method for communication between a peripheral device located in a gaming machine and a processing device in the gaming machine, comprising: 
 assigning an IP address to the peripheral device;    generating a message at the processing device and transmitting it to the peripheral device using the IP address.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the processing device is an MPU.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the processing device is a network distribution device.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the processing device is an IPX (Internet Protocol Exchange).  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral device communicates using the IP/TCP protocol.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral device communicates using the USB protocol.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral device communicates using the Ethernet protocol.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the IP address is a combination of a fixed IP address for the gaming device and a Port assignment of the peripheral device.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the processing device converts Ethernet information to a non-Ethernet protocol for communication with the peripheral device.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral device is coupled to the processing device via an Ethernet connection.  
   
   
       11 . A method of communication between a server on a gaming network and a peripheral device located in a gaming machine comprising: 
 assigning an IP address to the peripheral device;    generating a message at the server and transmitting it to the peripheral device using the IP address.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the IP address comprises a combination of a common IP address for the gaming machine and a port number for the peripheral device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further including a plurality of gaming machines coupled to the server, each of the plurality of gaming machines including an associated peripheral device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein each of the gaming machines has a unique IP address and the associated peripheral device has a port number.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein any of the plurality of gaming machines may communicate with any associated peripheral device via the server.