Gaming machine comprising universal presentation platform configured to accept different gaming devices

Abstract

A gaming machine comprises a universal presentation platform configured to accept a variety of gaming devices. The presentation platform comprises a cabinet, a universal gamine device interface and standardized components. In one embodiment, the cabinet is modular and is assembled from base, side, top, back and door components or sections. The gaming device comprises a housing containing a gaming controller and associated electronics. The gaming device is stand-alone, and is capable of use in different gaming machines and is independently verifiable. Other aspects of the invention comprise a grounding configuration for a gaming cabinet and gaming device and gaming machine air flow paths for cooling the machine components, including the gaming device.

1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a presentation platform, said presentation platform comprising a modular gaming cabinet, a universal gaming device interface, one or more gaming machine components and signal connectors between said interface and said components; and   a gaming device, said gaming device comprising a housing, a controller located in said housing and connectors configured to mate with said universal gaming device interface, whereby control signals generated by said controller are routed to said gaming machine components for operating said components.   
     
     
         2 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said modular gaming cabinet comprises a base, a first side, a second side, a back and a top which are detachably connected to one another with one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said base has an inside and an outside and a support is located at said outside of said base. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said base, first side, second side, back and top comprise generally planar elements having one or more peripheral flanges facilitating connection thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 2  wherein gaming machine components are mounted to said base, first side, second side, back and/or top before connection thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said universal gaming device interface comprises a plurality of signal ports, said signal connectors leading to said signal ports. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said ports are configured to accept said connectors of said gaming device. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said controller comprises a gameboard. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said controller comprises a computer processing unit. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  including an air filtration system, said system comprising a filter bracket connected to said cabinet at an exterior thereof at a location of a vent through said cabinet to an interior thereof, and a filter connected to said bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 10  including means for detecting a condition of said filter. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said filter comprise a roll filter. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  including a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor configured to provide an output to said controller. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises an enclosure, at least portion of said enclosure movable between a first open position in which access to an interior of said enclosure is permitted and a second closed position in which access to said interior is blocked. 
     
     
         15 . A method of creating a gaming machine, comprising:
 assembling a cabinet by connecting modular cabinet elements comprising a base, a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom, a back and a front using one or more fasteners;   associating one or more gaming machine components with said modular cabinet elements;   providing a universal gaming device interface, said interface comprising a plurality of ports having associated signal connectors, said signal connectors leading to said gaming machine components; and   mating a gaming device with said universal gaming device interface, said gaming device comprising a housing, a controller located in said housing, and connectors configured to mate with said ports of said universal gaming device interface.   
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said one or more gaming machine components are associated with said modular cabinet elements before said step of assembling said cabinet. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 16  including the step of testing said gaming machine components before said step of assembly said cabinet. 
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 15  including the step of electrically grounding said gaming device to said cabinet.