Open architecture communications in a gaming network

The method of claim 29 wherein the proprietary gaming software is not able to receive data transmitted in the third communication protocol.

A communication interface for communicating between a gaming machine and a gaming machine network, the interface comprising:

• multiple non-network communication ports, a first one the non-network communication ports allowing communication of data according to a first communication protocol and a second one the non-network communication ports allowing communication of data according to a second communication protocol;
• and
• a network communication port, wherein the network communication port allows communication of data according to a third communication protocol.

A gaming machine implemented on a gaming machine network, the gaming machine comprising:

• a master gaming controller designed or configured to manage a game played on the gaming machine, the gaming machine employing a first proprietary communication protocol for implementing a first proprietary gaming machine function and a second proprietary communication protocol for implementing a second proprietary gaming machine function, wherein the second proprietary communication protocol is different from the first proprietary communication protocol;
• a communication interface device in communication with the master gaming controller, the communication interface device designed or configured to communicate data in both the first and second communication protocols and communicate the data in a third communication protocol over a gaming machine network using the third communication protocol.

A player tracking unit in communication with a gaming machine and a gaming machine network, the player tracking unit comprising:

• processor logic that employs a player tracking communication protocol for implementing a player tracking service;
• and
• a communication interface device in communication with the gaming machine and the gaming machine network, the communication interface device designed or configured to communicate data in both the player tracking communication protocol and a second communication protocol with the gaming machine and communicate the data in a third communication protocol over the network using a third communication protocol.