Systems and methods for modular electronic gaming machines
AssigneeAristocrat Technologies, Inc.
InventorsFrank Rodriguez, Bruce Urban, Dominic DeMarco, James Stair, Martin Holland, Martin Mirakhour
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Abstract
A modular electronic gaming machine is provided. The modular electronic gaming machine includes a structural core including a gaming controller and a plurality of coupling mechanisms including a first coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism comprises an electrical connector. The first coupling mechanism is configured to couple to a first peripheral device to provide electrical power and structural support to the first peripheral device. The first coupling mechanism is configured to releasably couple to the first peripheral device.
Claims20
A modular electronic gaming machine comprising:
- a structural core of the modular electronic gaming machine comprising a gaming controller and a first kinematic coupling mechanism, wherein the first kinematic coupling mechanism comprises an electrical connector and one of a kinematic receiver and a kinematic pin, the electrical connector includes one or more electrical connections configured to transfer one or more of electrical power and data transfer between the structural core and an attached peripheral device;
- and
- a first peripheral device attached to the structural core via a second kinematic coupling mechanism, the second kinematic coupling mechanism comprises another electrical connector and the other of the kinematic receiver and the kinematic pin, the first kinematic coupling mechanism of the structural core is configured to couple to the second kinematic coupling mechanism of the first peripheral device to provide one or more of electrical power and data transfer between the first peripheral device and the structural core.
A modular electronic gaming machine system comprising:
- a structural core including a gaming controller including a plurality of core kinematic coupling mechanisms for attaching to peripheral devices;
- and
- a plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the plurality of peripheral devices are each removably attached to the structural core, wherein each peripheral device of the plurality of peripheral devices is attached to the structural core via an associated peripheral kinematic coupling mechanism, and wherein each of the plurality of peripheral devices are in electrical communication with the structural core via one or more electrical connectors provided within the associated kinematic coupling mechanism that transfer one or more of electrical power and data transfer between the structural core and the associated peripheral device,
- wherein the gaming controller is programmed to communicate with each of the plurality of peripheral devices.
A method of operating a modular electronic gaming machine comprising:
- removably attaching a plurality of peripheral devices to a structural core of the modular electronic gaming machine, the attaching includes automatically connecting a kinematic coupling mechanism of each peripheral device of the plurality of peripheral devices to a corresponding kinematic coupling mechanism of the structural core as the associated peripheral device is attached, thereby forming a mated pair of kinematic coupling mechanisms that establishes at least one of electrical power and data transfer between the structural core and the associated peripheral device;
- controlling the plurality of peripheral devices via a gaming controller integrated into the structural core;
- removing a first device of the plurality of peripheral devices from the structural core, thereby disconnecting a first mated pair of kinematic coupling mechanisms;
- subsequent to removing the first device, attaching a second peripheral device to the structural core, thereby establishing at least one of electrical power and data transfer between the structural core and the second peripheral device;
- and
- controlling the second peripheral device via the gaming controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.