VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL OPERATION

Abstract: A video lottery terminal which is operated by placing the video lottery terminal in a player mode wherein the video lottery terminal can interact with a player and peripheral equipment in a game mode, placing the video lottery terminal in a maintenance mode in which a plurality of functions of the video lottery terminal are tested using computer means embodied in the video lottery terminal, and placing the video lottery terminal in an initialisation mode in which an initialisation routine is performed.

Description: VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL OPERATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the operation of a video lottery terminal used for playing a game, or for gaming purposes. The video lottery terminal may be intended for use by a single player i.e. for single player games or gaming, or it may form part of a multiplayer arrangement which allows a plurality of players to participate in a game or games. As used herein the words "game" and "gaming" are interchangeable and are intended to relate to activities in which one or more players participate irrespective of whether or not there is a monetary reward at stake. Computer based video gaming machines are subject to strict regulations dealing with the operation of such machines. To adhere to these regulations it is essential to ensure that operational parameters of a video lottery terminal are correctly established and maintained. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a method of operating a video lottery terminal which includes the steps, according to requirement, of : (a) placing the video lottery terminal in a player mode wherein the video lottery terminal can interact with a player and peripheral equipment in a game mode, and (b) placing the video lottery terminal in a maintenance mode in which a plurality of functions of the video lottery terminal are tested using computer means embodied in the video lottery terminal. It is also possible, according to the method of the invention, to place the video lottery terminal in an initialisation mode in which an initialisation routine is performed. In the initialisation mode a set-up or configuration for a player station is established. In the maintenance mode the functions of the player station are tested, preferably to the maximum extent possible, without making use of external or specialised test equipment. The invention may provide that the maintenance mode is selectable only when the video lottery terminal is opened ie. accessed, by a service operator. Additionally the maintenance mode may only be enabled when a suitable code, for example, a service operator PIN number, is entered and validated. In the player mode the player station may perform its intended functions by means of which an interaction with a player and peripherals is achieved. Preferably the initialisation mode is entered when power is first applied to the player station. A plurality of internal functions may be tested during the initialisation mode. For example the following functions or components may be tested: (a) all addressable dynamic memory locations; (b) external interface circuitry; (c) serial communication controller; (d) programmable memory checks and verification; (e) back-up battery status; (f) status of logic door switch; (g) status of secure console door switch; and (h) status of bill acceptor. Communication links may be initialised. If the initialisation mode is successfully completed then the player station may be placed in the player mode (also known as an operational mode). Preferably the maintenance mode can be activated from within the player mode subject to the security features referred to hereinbefore. A plurality of functions may be carried out in the maintenance mode without making use of external or specialised test equipment. Without being limiting these functions may include the following: (a) the application programme used in the player mode may be updated; (b) service operator access codes may be entered or modified. As previously indicated these codes are required to allow service operators access to the maintenance/player mode; (c) built-in test functions may be carried out. For example printers, bill acceptors, key pad module and player credit displays may be tested; and (d) data stored within the player station and relating to its operation may be recalled. Such data may for example relate to metering systems used for logging occurrences in a game played on the player station and events of a specified nature which have been detected and recorded The maintenance functions, which are akin to a self diagnostic routine, can be carried out on-line while a game is being played, or off-line It is also possible to implement such self diagnostic routines on site or remotely for example through the medium of an appropriate network such as a local area network or the Internet BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram form a video lottery terminal, Figure 2 is a player station mode transition diagram, Figure 3 is a schematic representation of operations carried out during an initialisation routine, Figure 4 is a schematic representation of various maintenance mode functions, and Figure 5 illustrates a sequence of steps to enter a maintenance mode DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates components included in a video lottery terminal in which the method of the invention is implemented Figure 1 illustrates a bill acceptor 10, a player station 12 which may be one of a plurality of similar stations, a printer 14, an industrial or host computer 16 such as a PC, a location controller 18, a key pad module 20, a player credit display device 22, and apparatus 24 which is shown in block diagram form. Each block within the apparatus 24 is labelled and has the function shown in Table 1 : The apparatus 24 is an embedded computer controlled entity packaged into a single enclosure 54 that provides a plurality of operational functions. Via the serial interface controller 34 the apparatus provides serial communication interfaces to communicate with the industrial computer 16, the location controller 18, the player credit display 22, the bill acceptor 10, the printer 14 and the key pad module 20. The apparatus further facilitates some aspects of the metering, monitoring and control aspects required by gaming legislation. Thus the apparatus provides the ability to detect the occurrence of each of a plurality of events, to time and date stamp each event which occurs and to store data relating thereto. The microcontroller 36 is supported by the watchdog 26 which enables operation to be recovered in case the microcontroller hangs. A display 56 in the data integrity controller 42 is used to indicate the occurrence of a watchdog reset. The lamp driver 44 drives incandescent lamps 58 which are located in the player buttons. The sense circuits 46 detect the activation of a plurality of switches 60 (only one of which is shown) which in turn detect the opening or closure of doors such as a door to the industrial computer, to the player station, to the terminal or to a cage which holds a card in the industrial computer. The meter drivers 48 drive a plurality of externally connected electromechanical tally meters 62 which are required by legislation and which monitor critical aspects of the game. The circuitry 50 senses player's inputs or responses as reflected in switches 64, key pads or the like. The data integrity controller 42 provides a data recovery function for the apparatus 24 and hence for the terminal. Status and security events are monitored and information relating thereto is time and date stamped and recorded in the non-volatile memory 32 so that it is available for data recovery. The data in the non-volatile memory may be displayed on the display 56 which is a liquid crystal display. The industrial computer may be connected to a local or remote network 66 so that data may be accessed from a remote site. The terminal is powered from a power source 68 and the apparatus form an independent power source 69. The apparatus 24 can operate in a number of modes which are referred to herein as initialisation, maintenance and operational or player modes. The present invention is concerned particularly with the initialisation and maintenance modes. Consequently only passing reference is made to the operational or programme modes. It is to be understood however that, with the apparatus in the player mode, a player can play the game to which the video lottery terminal relates and all significant game events are logged by the apparatus 24. The apparatus includes the ability of maintaining full integrity of data relating to such critical events and, moreover, meters events, storing the subsequent data in nonvolatile memory storage, for security and recovery purposes. This is the case even if the power supply 68 to the terminal fails, for the apparatus 24 is independently powered by the power source 69. Figure 2 is a mode transition diagram of the player station indicating different modes of operation. To a substantial extent the diagram is self-explanatory. When power is first applied to the player station the player station is placed in an initialisation mode 70 which is depicted in further detail in Figure 3. If the initialisation is successful the industrial computer 16 is notified that the player station is on-line and normal operational communication is commenced by commanding the player station to the operational mode i.e. the player mode 72. The maintenance mode, labelled 74 in Figure 2, is entered in the manner illustrated in Figure 5. If the video lottery terminal is opened by a service operator (block 76) it is possible for the operator to access a switch 78 which enables the maintenance mode 74 or the operational mode 72 to be selected. As a secondary security feature the maintenance mode 74 is only enabled when a service operator code 80 e.g. a PIN number, is entered via the key pad module 20. Permissible PIN numbers are stored in the industrial computer 16 and the entered PIN number is validated in a step 82 before the maintenance mode 74 can be entered. All of these steps are logged in the industrial computer and in the apparatus 24. Figure 3 depicts in further detail various steps in the initialisation mode 70. In the first instance a player station power-on self-test routine (84) is performed. This routine covers the following aspects of the player station : (a) all addressable dynamic memory locations; (b) external interface circuitry (if possible); (c) serial communication controller(s); (d) programmable memory checksum verification; (e) backup battery status for the data integrity controller; (f) status of logic door switch; (g) status of secure console door switch; and (h) status of bill acceptor. Any failure during the routine 84 causes the player station to enter a suspended mode 86 which is under the control of the industrial computer 16. Errors which are detected during the routine 84 are displayed on the display device 56 shown in Figure 1. The suspended mode 86 is a temporary state that the player station enters when it encounters a problem or error during the routine 84. Once the problem is resolved or the system is reset the player station leaves the suspended mode and resumes normal operation. It is to be noted that when the suspended mode is entered an appropriate error code linked to an event description is generated and this is logged in the data integrity controller 42. The suspended mode is commanded by the industrial computer 16 in response to the status and security events reported to the industrial computer. Once the routine 84 has been successfully completed the player station waits for the industrial computer 16 to poll it with a communication initialisation command including a communication integrity test or built in test (BIT). In response to the command the player station identifies itself and returns the computed result of the integrity test data. Thus, in the first instance, player station to industrial computer communication is established and verified. Thereafter the player station waits for poll information from the local controller 18. Again communication between the player station and the local controller is established and verified. Thereafter the industrial computer initiates initialisation commands to the printer 14 to test its response and verify the communication channel integrity. A similar sequence of operations is carried out to test the response of the key pad module 20 and the player credit display 22 and, in each case, communication channel integrity is verified. All of the preceding tests are embodied in the block identified by the numeral 88 and labelled "initialise communications". If the initialisation is successful the industrial computer 16 proceeds on the basis that the player stations are on-line and commences normal operational communication by commanding the player stations to the appropriate mode of operation (90). If configuration changes are to be made to the player station software then the industrial computer commands a software setup status (92) and the software configurable parameters are down-loaded from the industrial computer to the player station. Such parameters may include the items in Table 2 where BA denotes the bill acceptor; RTC the real time clock; PS the player station; LC the local controller; IC the industrial computer; l/F the interface connection between the terminal and the apparatus 24: Table 2 As is indicated in Figure 3 the player station may enter the operational/maintenance modes 72, 74 upon command by the industrial computer. Without being limiting the player station performs the following functions: (a) provides industrial computer/player station communication; (b) provides player station/printer communication; (c) provides player station local controller communication; (d) provides player station key pad module communication and function; (e) provides player station/player credit display communication and player credit display functions; (f) provides player station/bill acceptor communication and bill acceptor function; (g) provides a watchdog function; (h) provides a real time clock; (i) provides lamp drivers; - (j) provides switches and tally meter sense circuits; (k) provides meter drivers; (I) provides electronic metering; (m) provides player inputs; and (n) provides data integrity control function. As has been indicated the present invention is concerned primarily with the initialisation and maintenance modes and consequently the preceding aspects, which relate to the operational mode, are mentioned only for the sake of completeness and are not fully described herein. When the maintenance switch (78) is activated from within the industrial computer console and a valid operator's access code is entered from the key pad module 20 (referred to in Figure 4 as KPM) the player station is commanded to the maintenance mode 74. As the industrial computer is frequently polling each player station the player station informs the industrial computer that the maintenance mode has been selected and the industrial computer then generates a maintenance mode screen that displays maintenance and player station related information. Figure 4 illustrates various maintenance mode functions. There are four principal categories of functions designated 92, 94, 96 and 98 respectively. In the player station setup selection 92 the setup information contained in Table 2 is provided. In addition the capability of remotely updating the player station application programme from the industrial computer is available. In the selection 94 a game supervisor or service operator is allowed to programme access codes into the player station. These codes are required, as has been stated, to allow service operators access to the video lottery terminal setup functions to alter video lottery terminal settings, when required. In the selection 96 built in test (BIT) functions are provided to enable self-testing to be carried out to the greatest extent possible. For example outputs can be looped back to inputs to verify functionality. Typically serial communication ports can be fitted with loop- back plugs so that the player station micro-controller can test its serial communication ports and display the results of the test on the industrial computer display. Driver outputs can be tested by installing loop-back or resistive plugs. Off-line diagnostic tests are conducted to verify the following aspects of the player station: (a) all addressable dynamic memory locations; (b) external interface circuitry; (c) serial communication controller(s); (d) programmable memory checksum verification; (e) backup battery status for data integrity controller (DIC); (f) status of bill acceptor (BA); (g) status of printer (when connected); (i) status of key pad module (KPM); (j) status of player credit display (PCD); (k) non-volatile memory; and (I) . real time clock. The option 98 is an event log which provides the capability to upload stored events from the player station to the industrial computer for review. A function to purge the player station event log is also provided but as this is a potentially dangerous option a special password is required at the industrial computer. Referring again to Figure 2 it is to be noted that in the event of power failure, during the operational mode, a backup power/recovery mode 100 is entered. This mode is in fact active when power to the video lottery terminal has failed or when the video lottery terminal itself has failed. Data recovery is performed through the functions provided by the data integrity controller 42 shown in Figure 1. Restoration of power returns the system to its normal operation. A principal benefit of the invention is that it enables all essential aspects of a player station to be initialised and diagnosed, either on site or remotely, or on line or off line. Such aspects include light switches, bill acceptors, the printer, key pad, hard and electronic meters, buttons and the like. Full verification of the status of the player station may thus be achieved when required. This objective is reached without the use of specialised or external equipment.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of operating a video lottery terminal which includes the steps, according to requirement, of : (a) placing the video lottery terminal in a player mode wherein the video lottery terminal can interact with a player and peripheral equipment in a game mode, and (b) placing the video lottery terminal in a maintenance mode in which a plurality of functions of the video lottery terminal are tested using computer means embodied in the video lottery terminal. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in the maintenance mode, functions of the player station are tested without making use of external or specialised test equipment. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the maintenance mode is selectable only when the video lottery terminal is opened by a service operator. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the maintenance mode is only enabled when a suitable code is entered and validated. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein in the player mode a player station may perform its intended functions by means of which an interaction with a player and peripherals is achieved. 6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 which includes the step of placing the video lottery terminal in an initialisation mode in which an initialisation routine is performed and during which a set-up or configuration for a player station is established. 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the initialisation mode is entered when power is first applied to the player station. 8. A method according to claim 6 or 7 which includes the step, if the initialisation mode is successfully completed, of placing the terminal in the player mode. 9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein, in the maintenance mode, self diagnostic routines of the terminal are carried out on site or remotely through a network which is connected to the terminal. 10. A video lottery terminal which is operated by placing the video lottery terminal in a player mode wherein the video lottery terminal can interact with a player and peripheral equipment in a game mode, placing the video lottery terminal in a maintenance mode in which a plurality of functions of the video lottery terminal are tested using computer means embodied in the video lottery terminal, and placing the video lottery terminal in an initialisation mode in which an initialisation routine is performed.

Inventors: SMIT FRANCOIS VERMEULEN, SMIT, FRANCOIS, VERMEULEN
Applicants: SMIT FRANCOIS VERMEULEN, SMIT, FRANCOIS, VERMEULEN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G07F17
IPC codes: A63F3, G07F17