Input/output interface and device abstraction

A gaming device comprising:

• a main game processor configured for carrying out game instructions;
• a game play interface;
• an input/output controller including a communication link with the main game processor, said interface in communication with the controller, said controller configured to enable communication between said interface and said main game processor over said link, wherein said controller provides an abstraction of attributes and commands for control of said interface, said abstraction allowing said main game processor to communicate with said interface via said input/output controller while being isolated from variations in interface configuration, said abstraction applying to both a hardware arrangement for said game play interface and a protocol of communicating with said game play interface, wherein said input/output controller unloads at least a portion of control of said game play interface from said main game processor to reduce a load on said main game processor.

A method for providing communication between a game play interface and a gaming machine processor for operation of features of a gaming machine comprising:

• configuring a main game processor for carrying out game instructions;
• providing an input/output controller communicating with the main game processor;
• connecting at least one device adapted to interface with the main game processor to the controller and configuring the controller to enable communication between said at least one device and said main game processor, wherein said controller provides an abstraction of attributes and commands for control of said at least one device, said abstraction allowing said main game processor to communicate with said at least one device via said input/output controller while being isolated from variations in configuration for each of said at least one device, said abstraction applying to both a hardware arrangement for each of said at least one device and a protocol of communicating with each of said at least one device, wherein said input/output controller unloads at least a portion of control of said at least one device from said main game processor to reduce a load on said main game processor.

An input/output controller for a gaming machine of the type including a main game processor configured for carrying out game play instructions and a device to be in communication with the main game processor, said controller comprising:

• a first connection for placing said controller in communication with said game processor and a second connection, said device connected to said second connection;
• a processing unit configured to enable communication between said game processor and said device, wherein said processing unit provides an abstraction of attributes and commands for control of said device, said abstraction allowing said main game processor to communicate with said device via said input/output controller while being isolated from variations in device configuration, said abstraction applying to both a hardware arrangement for said device and a protocol of communicating with said device, wherein said input/output controller unloads at least a portion of control of said device from said main game processor to reduce a load on said main game processor.