Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method affords, to authorized persons, access to one or more lockable areas of one or more gaming machines. Each area includes a door or switch and an associated electrically operable lock mechanism which controls access to the area. Each machine has a local processor communicating with a central host computer and with lock processors for each of its lockable areas. Personnel identification and access authorization data is stored at the host computer. Data may also be stored on personal data cards, respectively assigned to individual persons. A person seeking access inputs identification data at the machine, and the host computer responds with signals to unlock lock mechanisms for areas which the identified person is authorized to access. Each machine monitors the states of all of its locks and doors. A manual override key, disabled when power is on, operates the lock mechanisms when power is off.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This application relates to gaming machines or terminals and security provisions therefore. In particular, the application relates to improved methods and apparatus for affording to authorized persons access to secure areas of gaming machines. 
   Gaming machines or terminals, such as slot machines, typically include a number of secure or locked areas which are accessible only to authorized personnel. As used herein “area” may refer to a region closed by a door, or a lockable device, such as a switch. Such areas may include storage hoppers and overflow “drop” boxes for coins, currency, tokens or other valuable items used in playing a game, bill or ticket storage stackers, operating mechanisms, electronic control panels, auxiliary equipment such as printers, and so forth. Access to a given machine may be required from time to time by any of a number of different persons, e.g., currency-handling personnel for filling and emptying coin hoppers, drop boxes or bill stackers, service personnel for performing routine maintenance or service functions, repair technicians for correcting malfunctions, and the like. Since most such personnel require access to fewer than all of the available secure areas of a machine, and since it is desired to limit access to machine areas as much as possible for security reasons, it is necessary to provide each such area with a separate lock. Heretofore, such locks have been mechanical devices which are unlocked with a mechanical key. Thus, for any given machine, a number of different keys may be required, and it may be necessary to provide multiple copies of any one key for different personnel, who may require access to an area for different reasons, or who work different shifts, or the like. 
   The existence of a large number of keys in circulation is an inherent security risk. Furthermore, when a gaming establishment needs to access many machines at a time, such as to do hopper fills or drop box services, most of the service time is spent searching for the proper keys to unlock the machines, which is inefficient and costly. Also, each time an employee leaves the employ of a gaming establishment, the gaming machines or areas thereof to which the employee had access must be re-keyed. This can constitute a significant expense. 
   SUMMARY 
   There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus for selectively controlling access to one or more areas of a gaming machine, which avoids the disadvantages of prior techniques while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
   An important aspect is the provision of a method and apparatus of the type set forth which is characterized by significantly increased security. 
   Another aspect is the provision of a method and apparatus of the type set forth which affords significant economies of time and money. 
   An important aspect is the provision of a method and apparatus of the type set forth which minimizes the need for mechanical keys. 
   In connection with the foregoing aspect, another aspect is the provision of an apparatus which utilizes electrically operable lock mechanisms under control of processors programmed to respond to the input of personnel identification data by a person seeking access to a machine, to provide access to only those areas for which the person is authorized. 
   Another aspect is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth, wherein a plurality of gaming machines may be in communication with and under common control from, a host computer. 
   A further aspect is the provision of an apparatus of a type set forth with a mechanical override which can be used in the absence of electrical power or in the event of malfunction or other emergency. 
   In connection with the foregoing aspect, a further aspect is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth, wherein the mechanical override is normally disabled when the gaming machine is normally electrically powered. 
   In connection with the foregoing aspects, a further aspect is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth, which provides an indication when the override has been utilized. 
   Another aspect is the provision of a system of the type set forth which monitors the states of all gaming machine doors and lock mechanisms. 
   Certain ones of these and other aspects may be attained by providing apparatus for selectively controlling access to one or more of plural areas of a gaming machine, the apparatus including plural electrically operable lock mechanisms respectively associated with the areas and movable between unlocked and locked conditions relative to the areas; control circuitry including a processor operating under control of a stored program and coupled to each of the lock mechanisms for controlling operation thereof; a data storage and retrieval system adapted to communicate with the processor and including a storage medium for storing data including personnel identification data and access authorization data indicative of the areas, if any, of the machine for which a person seeking access to the machine is authorized; and a data input device coupled to the processor for inputting at least personnel identification data identifying a person seeking access to the machine, the processor being responsive to input personnel identification data for operating one or more lock mechanisms in accordance with access authorization corresponding to an identified person. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art gaming machine; 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of system for controlling access to gaming machines; 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a lock processor and associated elements of control/monitor circuitry of a gaming machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of data input device for a gaming machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic top plan view of a door lock mechanism and associated sensing apparatus for a door of a gaming machine of  FIG. 1 , with the door in its closed condition and the lock bolt in its locked condition; 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , with the lock bolt in its unlocked condition; 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are rear elevational and top plan views of the lock bolt of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are top plan and front elevational views of a manual override unlocking cam for the lock mechanism of  FIGS. 5-7 ; 
       FIGS. 9A-9D  are views similar to  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the lock mechanism, illustrating various positions of the mechanism during unlocking with a manual override key and the unlocking cam of  FIGS. 8A and 8B ; 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart diagram of program software for the host computer of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart diagram of program software for a local processor of one of the gaming machines of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart diagram of program software for a lock processor of a gaming machine of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are diagrammatic views of a lock mechanism controlling enablement of a standard manual latch assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a prior art gaming machine or terminal  10  having a housing  11  provided with a display area  12 . Depending upon the type of gaming machine and the nature of the game, there may be provided a number of user interface devices, which may include a button array or key pad, touch screen, joy stick, lever arm, or the like. The machine  10  may include a coin or token slot  13  for receiving the player&#39;s wagers and which communicates with an associated hopper  13   a . Also, depending upon the nature of the machine, it may include a bill or card slot  14  for receiving player wagers, which is typically provided with an associated bill or card validator (not shown) and a bill or card stacker  14   a . There may also be provided a payout bin  15  for receiving dispensed payout of coins or tokens, and/or a printer  15   a  associated with a dispensing slot for dispensing cards, bills or the like. Typically, a drop box  16  is provided for receiving overflow from the hopper  13   a.    
   Access to the interior of the gaming machine  10  may be provided through a main door  17  which includes an associated manual, key-actutable lock mechanism. In addition, a number of the other elements of the machine, such as the hopper  13   a , the stacker  14   a , the printer  15   a , and the drop box  16  may also be provided with manual lock assemblies, and may be accessible from inside or outside of the machine  10 . In addition, there may be provided certain switches, such as a privilege switch  18 , provided with an associated lock, and one or more circuit boards  19 , which may be provided with associated lock assemblies for controlling enablement thereof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an access control system  20  for a plurality of gaming machines  30  under common control of the a computer  21 . Each of the gaming machines  30  may be generally the same type as the gaming machine  10 , described above, except that instead of having mechanical, key-actuated lock assemblies, it is provided with electrically operated lock mechanisms, as will be described more fully below. 
   The host computer  21 , which may be located in a central location in a gaming establishment, includes a processor  22 , which may comprise one or more microprocessors, and an memory or associated storage device  23  on which may be stored a database  24  including identifications of all of the gaming machines  30 , as well as personnel identification data for all applicable personnel, and access authorization data indicating which, if any, lockable areas of which machines  30  each person is authorized to access. The processor  22  is coupled to a communications circuit  25  for communication with other devices. The host computer  21  may also be provided with one or more input devices  26 , which may include a keyboard, mouse or the like, as well as a display  27 , which may include a CRT or LCD display screen or other types of display devices. Additionally, if desired, other accessory devices, such as printers, modems, speakers, etc. may be coupled to the host computer  21  in a known manner. The communications circuit  25  is coupled through a communication link  28  to each of the gaming machines  30 . The communication link  28  may be a wired link, such as a cable network or the like, or a wireless link, such as an RF link. 
   While internal details have been illustrated on only one of the gaming machines  30  in  FIG. 2 , it will be appreciated that similar details are included in each of the gaming machines  30  and, while only three such machines are depicted in  FIG. 2 , the dotted lines between the last two machines signifies that there may be any number of intervening machines therebetween. The gaming machines  30  may be of the same or of different types, but all will include features similar to those illustrated in the first machine  30 . 
   In particular, each gaming machine  30  includes a local controller  31  which may include a processor  32 , such as a suitable microprocessor, coupled to an associated memory or storage device  33  and to a communications circuit  34  which is, in turn, coupled to the communications link  28 . The machine  30  is provided with an input device  35  coupled to the processor  32  for user input of information. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the input device  35  may include a suitable card reader  36  for reading data on a personal data card  37 . Each applicable person may be provided with a personal identification card, which may contain personal identification data which identifies that person. When a person seeks access to a particular machine  30 , the personal identification card  37  is inserted in the card reader, which reads the data therefrom and transmits it to the processor  32 . The input device  35  may also include a keypad  38  for user input of information, such as a PIN number, to confirm identification and inhibit unauthorized use of another person&#39;s personal identification card. Alternatively, the input device  35  could include simply a key pad  38  for user input of all applicable identification information. The card reader  36  and card  37  may be magnetic devices. Alternatively, the card  37  may be a “smart” card with built-in electronics, in which case, the card reader  36  would be a suitable associated “smart” card reader. It will be appreciated that other types of input devices could also be used, including biometric identifiers, such as finger print readers, or the like. 
   Each gaming machine  30  also includes one or more lock mechanisms  40 , each associated with one of the lockable “areas” described above. In the illustrated embodiment, three of the lock mechanism  40  have been shown in the first gaming machine  30  in  FIG. 2 , but the dotted lines between the last two lock mechanism  40  indicate that any number of intervening lock mechanism  40  may be disposed therebetween. It will also be appreciated that fewer than three lock mechanism  40  may be provided in certain machines. Each lock mechanism  40  has associated therewith control/monitor circuitry  41 , which is coupled to the communications circuit  34  of the local controller  31 . 
   Referring in FIGS.  3  and  5 - 7 B, there are illustrated details of a lock mechanism  40  and the control/monitor circuitry  41  thereof for a typical lockable area, in this case the access to the area being controlled by a door  50  on which the lock mechanism  40  is mounted. The lock mechanism  40  includes a lock bolt  42  in the form of an elongated member provided with a tapered cam surface and  43  at one end thereof (see  FIG. 7A ). The bolt  42  may be substantially rectangular in transverse cross section and may be provided with a rectangular slot  44  for receiving an associated magnet  45  adapted for cooperation with an associated electromagnetic coil  45   a  for controlling reciprocating movement of the bolt  42  in locking (toward the right) and unlocking (toward the left) directions, as viewed in the figures, depending upon the direction of electrical current through the coil, all in a known manner. The bolt  42  may be provided with a projecting pin  42   a , for a purpose to be described below, and is also provided along one face with a pair of spaced-apart detent recesses  46  and  47 . Formed transversely through the bolt  42  are two longitudinally spaced-apart bores  48  and  49 . The door  50  is movable between open (not shown) and closed positions relative to an associated door jamb  51  which includes suitable keeper structure for the bolt  42 , which may include a lock slot  52  dimensional to receive the bolt  42 . 
   There is also provided a detent ball  53  biased by a spring  54  into engagement with the lock bolt  42 . When the bolt  42  is in its locked position, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the detent ball  53  will engage in the detent recess  46  while, when the bolt  42  is in its unlocked position, illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the detent ball  53  will engage in the detent recess  47 , thereby to prevent accidental movement of the bolt  42  from these positions. 
   Referring also to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the lock mechanism  40  may also include a manual override unlocking cam  55  having an arm  56  projecting from one end thereof and cooperating with the main body of the cam to define a shoulder  57 . Formed through the cam  55  is a key aperture  58  which, for simplicity, is illustrated as square in shape, although it will be appreciated that it could have any desired shape. The unlocking cam  55  is disposed adjacent to the bolt  42  for pivotal movement relative thereto, as will be explained more fully below. 
   The control/monitor circuitry  41  includes a lock processor  60  (see  FIG. 3 ), which may be a suitable microprocessor, which communicates via a communications circuit  60   a  with the local controller  31 , as explained above. Mounted on the door  50  is an optical door emitter  61  and an optical door receiver  62 . Mounted on the door jamb  51  is a prism  63 , which is positioned so as to be opposite the emitter and receiver  61  and  62  when the door  50  is in its closed position, illustrated in the drawings. The emitter  61  may be an LED and the receiver  62  may be a suitable light sensor, such as a photocell or the like. When the door  50  is in its closed positioned, the emitter  61  emits a light beam which passes into the prism  63  and is internally reflected thereby back to the receiver  62  along an optical path indicated by the broken line in  FIG. 5 . When the door  50  is not in its closed position, the optical path between the emitter  61  and the receiver  62  will be interrupted. 
   The control/monitor circuitry  41  also includes a similar bolt locked emitter  64  and a bolt locked receiver  65  cooperating with an associated prism  66  so that, when the bolt  42  is in its locked position illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a light beam emitted from the emitter  64  will pass through the bore  48  into the prism  66  and back through the bore  49  to the receiver  65 . This optical path will be interrupted when the bolt  42  is not in its locked position. There is also provided a bolt unlocked emitter  67  and a bolt unlocked receiver  68  cooperating with a prism  69  so that, when the bolt  42  is in its unlocked position, illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a light path will be established from the emitter  67  through the bore  49  into the prism  69  and back through the bore  48  to the receiver  68 . This path will be interrupted when the bolt  42  is not in its unlocked position. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the optical emitters  61 ,  64  and  67 , the optical receivers  62 ,  65  and  68  and the coil  45   a  are all coupled to the lock processor  60 . It is a significant aspect of the system  20  that the optical emitters  61 ,  64  and  67  can be modulated and, to this end, they are all connected to a modulator  60   a  which is, in turn, connected to the lock processor  60 . The modulation of the light beams generated by the emitters could be of any of a number of different types, but may be as simple as intermittently operating the emitters in patterns which may be predetermined but are preferably random, with random on times and random off times. This greatly enhances the security of the system by minimizing the possibility of blinding the optical receivers with an external light source. The software of the lock processor  60  can, for example, signal an error or alarm condition if a receiver is receiving when its associated transmitter is not transmitting or, when the associated door or lock bolt is in a position wherein the optical path should be completed, the receiver is not receiving when its associated emitter is transmitting. 
   It will be understood that the particular type of lock mechanism structure shown on the drawings is simply for purposes of illustrating the applicable principles, and that other known lock mechanism structures could also be utilized. 
   While the illustrated embodiment utilizes optical emitters and receivers for the door and lock bolt monitoring functions, it will be appreciated that other types of position-sensing devices could be utilized, although for some such devices the modulation function may not be feasible. Also, while a locking mechanism for a door has been described in detail, it will be appreciated that the locking mechanism for other types of lockable “areas” in the gaming machine  30  could use other known types of condition sensing or detecting devices. 
   In operation, it would be appreciated that the lock processor  60  can determine from the conditions of the emitters and receivers whether or not a door is in its closed position, and whether a lock bolt is in its locked position, unlocked position or neither, and this information can be communicated to the local controller  30  and then to the host computer  21 . 
   The operation of the electrically operated locking mechanism described above is dependent upon the presence of electrical power. It is, of course, possible to provide a battery back-up system in the event of failure of the local power supply, but that is of limited utility. It is desirable to have a means for operating the lock mechanism  40  in the absence of a power supply, such as in the event of a power outage or when a gaming machine is removed for service or inspection, as at a gaming control board facility, and not connected to a power supply. Referring to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  9 A- 9 D, there is provided a manual override unlocking mechanism utilizing the mechanical unlocking cam  55  of  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the shoulder  57  and arm  56  of which are diagrammatically illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9D . When the lock bolt  42  is disposed in its locked condition, illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the unlocking cam  55  is disposed for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the pin  42   a  in a counter clockwise direction, illustrated by the arrow. In this initial position, the arm  56  of the unlocking cam  55  is disposed for engagement with the lock bolt pin  42   a , while the shoulder  57  is disposed for engagement with a pin  66   a  on the prism  66 . The prism  66  is mounted for movement in directions parallel to the movement of the lock bolt  42 . Thus, when a key is inserted in the key aperture  58  and the cam  55  is rotated in the direction of the arrow, both the lock bolt  42  and the prism  66  will be moved to the left, passing first through the intermediate positions illustrated in  FIG. 9B  and moving ultimately to the positions illustrated in  FIG. 9C , wherein the lock bolt  42  is in its unlocked condition. Note that if the cam  55  is now rotated back in the opposite direction, it will have no effect on the lock bolt  42  or the prism  66 , so that the door can be unlocked, but not locked with the override key. 
   Another important aspect is that the system  20  can recognize if there has been unauthorized tampering with the machine  30  with an override key. Thus, when the lock bolt  42  is returned to its locked condition, such as by an electrical control signal, as illustrated in  FIG. 9D , the prism  66  will remain in the position of  FIG. 9C , so that the optical path between the emitter  64  and the receiver  65  will be interrupted. Thus, the system can immediately recognize that the override key has been used and appropriate steps can be taken. Once this fact is recognized, the prism  66  can be selectively or automatically reset to its normal position of  FIG. 9A , as by use of a suitable solenoid. 
   While the lock mechanism  40  and control/monitor circuitry  41  are designed to provide direct control of access to a lockable area of a gaming machine, by directly locking and unlocking a door or some other lockable device, it could also be utilized for indirect control of access. More specifically, in existing machines with standard mechanical latch assemblies, electrically controllable lock mechanisms could be utilized to control access by controlling the enablement and disablement of the standard mechanical latch assemblies. Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , there is illustrated a standard mechanical door latch assembly  120  having an actuating lever  121  and an associated lock cam  122  operable by an associated mechanical key (not shown) receivable in a key hole  123 . Referring to  FIG. 13B , in normal operation the key would be used to rotate the cam  122  in a counter clockwise direction to unlatch the door latch assembly  120  in a known manner. When the key is then rotated in the opposite direction, the actuator  121  returns to its original position to latch the assembly. The lock mechanism may include a solenoid  125  with a plunger  126  which is moveable between a retracted position shown in  FIG. 13B , which does not interfere with the operation of the cam  122 , and an extended position shown in  FIG. 13A , blocking rotation of the cam  122  from its normal rest position. The system could be operated so that, when the solenoid  125  is de-energized, its plunger  126  is extended, thereby disabling the door latch assembly  120  and preventing access by use of the mechanical key. When the solenoid  125  is energized, the plunger  126  is retracted, permitting operation of the door latch assembly  120  by use of the mechanical key. 
   The arrangement of  FIGS. 13A and 13B  could be utilized in connection with the manual override unlocking cam  55  in the electrically controlled system described above in connection with  FIGS. 9A-9D . In this case, the solenoid plunger  126  could be extended to block movement of the unlocking cam  55  when the solenoid  125  is energized, which would normally be the case whenever the system  20  is powered up and retracted in the event of a power loss to permit the use of the override key. Thus, it would not be possible for someone to attempt to tamper with the gaming machine using an override key when the system  20  was powered. 
   While, in the embodiment described above, the lock bolt  42  is moved by a coil and magnet arrangement, it will be appreciated that other types of electrically controlled motive devices could be utilized. For example, a stepper motor could be utilized. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , the operation of the system  20  will be described in greater detail.  FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart  70  for a software program of the host computer  21  in connection with the access control system  20  described herein. Initially, at  71 , the input devices  26 , such as a keyboard, are enabled, all variables are initialized, all tables are read from storage and all communication ports are initialized and timers are set and interrupts enabled. Then, at  72 , communication is established to all of the gaming machines  30  and information is gathered from the lock processors  60  via the local controllers  31 . Next, at  73 , the routine builds a new table containing the states of all of the lock bolts and doors from the information received from the individual gaming machines. The date and time of day may be added to the table for histogram purposes. Then, at  74 , the routine again communicates with all of the gaming machines  30  and control signals are sent thereto to enable or disable of the lock mechanisms  40  thereof in accordance with the table at  73 . 
   Then, at  75 , the system displays the states of all of the gaming machines on the display  27  and may produce messages on the display if any states are changed from the previous table. Messages may be steady state or flashing and in various colors, depending upon the particular condition detected. Then, at  76 , the new table is stored and if there are any changes from the old table to the new, the new table is added to the end of the file containing the old table. Then, at  77  the program loops and waits for an input from the input devices  26  or a timer interrupt. If, at  78 , a timer interrupt is received, the program returns to  72 , and if a key board or other input device input is received, it proceeds to  79  and utilizes the input commands to build messages to send to the gaming machines for locking or unlocking different lock mechanisms in accordance with the commands and then, at  79   a , communicates those messages to the gaming machines and returns to  72 . These commands are communicated as CNS or CSN signals to the coil  45   a  of the designated lock mechanism  40  of the designated gaming machines  30  for respectively locking or unlocking the lock bolt  42 . 
   It will be appreciated that, with the use of this program the system  20  can readily detect error or fault conditions in the states of the gaming machines  30 . For example if a door  50  is open, but its associated lock bolt  42  is in its locked position, this would be an error condition which would merit investigation. Similarly, if a lock bolt  42  were to remain in neither a locked nor an unlocked condition, this would be recognized as a fault condition. Also, the system can readily determine whether or not the sensed states of the machine are in accordance with the most recently commanded states and indicate any discrepancies. 
   In  FIG. 11  there is illustrated a flow chart for a software program  80  for the processor  32  of a local controller  31 . At  81 , the timers, interrupts and communications port are enabled. The timer is used to interrupt the controller so that data from all of the lock mechanism  40  of the machine  30  can be gathered at regular intervals. The communications port is used to communicate with the host computer  21 . At  82 , when the interrupt timer times out, the controller communicates with the various lock mechanisms  40  to gather the states of the doors and lock mechanism via the optical emitters and receivers and then, at  83 , builds a table of these lock and door states to be transmitted to the host computer  83  and then returns at  84  to the main loop. When the program sees a communications interrupt from the host computer  21  at  85 , it transmits the table built at  83  to the host  21  and then returns at  86  to the main loop. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12  there is illustrated a software program  90  for a lock processor  60  of  FIG. 3 . At  91  the program sets up timer and communications interrupts and then loops waiting for a timer or communication interrupt to occur. The beginning of a timer interrupt subroutine is designated  92 , in which the routine first checks at  93  to see if the lock bolt coil  45   a  of a lock mechanism to be mounted is energized. If it is, the system recognizes at  94  that the condition of the lock bolt is changing, and then at  95  sets a changing state timer and, when it times out, exits at  96  back to  93  to again check to see if the coil is energized. The program will go through this loop ten times and, on the tenth time will produce an error code indicating a fault. If, at  93 , the coil is not energized, then the bolt is not changing states and the system should be able to get a good reading from the sensors, so the system proceeds to  97  to check to see if the lock/door combination are in a state 1, wherein the lock bolt is in its unlocked condition and the associated door is in its opened condition, which would be a service state condition. If so, the routine, at  98 , sets the service state flag and proceeds to  99  to add that state to the table of states of lock and door sensors and then returns at  100  to the main loop. 
   If, at  97 , the lock/door combination is not in state 1, the routine checks at  101  to see if it they are in a state 2, corresponding to the bolt in its unlocked condition and the door closed, which is another service state condition. If so, the routine again proceeds to  98  and, if not, next checks at  102  to see if they are in state 3, corresponding to the lock locked and the door closed, which is the normal operating state. If so, the routine, at  103 , sets the lock locked and door closed flag. If not, the routine next checks at  104  to see if the door/lock combinations in state 4, corresponding to the lock locked and the door opened, which is an error state. If so, the routine, at  105  sets the corresponding flag. 
   Note that each door/lock combination has two acceptable lock bolt conditions, i.e., locked or unlocked, and two acceptable door conditions, i.e., closed or opened. This means there are four possible combinations of lock/door conditions and the routine checks at tests  93 ,  101 ,  102 , and  104  for each of those four conditions in sequence. If, at  104 , the answer is no, it means that none of those four acceptable conditions obtains and, therefore, the lock must be broken or has been tampered with. This could be because the lock bolt is stuck or it may be because someone has opened the lock with a manual key, such as the override key, and when that occurs the lock must be taken apart and pieces reset, such as resetting the position of the prism  66  ( FIG. 9(   d ). 
   Thus the routine then proceeds to  106  to check the nature of the fault condition. If the sensors are signaling that the lock is both locked and unlocked, the routine then checks at  107  to see whether the door is opened or closed and sets an appropriate flag at  108  or  109  and then proceeds to  99 . If, at  106 , the sensors indicate that the lock bolt is neither locked nor unlocked, the routine then checks at  110  to seek what condition the door is in and sets the appropriate flag at  111  or  112  and then proceeds to  99 . When the fault code is generated at  96 , indicating that the coil has remained energized, the routine also moves to  106  to signal a broken lock condition. 
   If a communication interrupt occurs, the routine at  113  transmits the table built at  99  to the local controller  31  for the gaming machine  30 , and then returns at  114  to the main loop. 
   In overall operation, when a person wishes to obtain access to any locked area of a gaming machine  30 , the person first inputs his or her personnel identification information, utilizing the input device  35 . The local controller  35  then communicates this information to the host computer  21 , which compares it with the database  24  to determine which, if any, of the locked areas of the gaming machine  30  the person is entitled to access. If access is authorized for one or more areas, signals are sent back to the gaming machine  30  for controlling corresponding lock mechanisms to unlock those areas. When access is completed and the door is reclosed or the switch or other device is returned to its initial condition, this information will also be communicated back to the host computer, which send signals to can then relock the lock mechanisms. 
   The gaming machines  30  can also be controlled from the host computer  21  independently of any local access request. Thus, for example, if it is desired to provide a service function on a group of machines, such as drop box emptying or hopper loading, that group of machines is typically roped off and the host computer unlocks the appropriate locking mechanisms so that the service person or team can perform the appropriate service function on all of the machines in the group. 
   A significant advantage of the system  20  is that it greatly facilitates adjustment of the security system to accommodate changes in personnel or their assigned duties. Thus, if a new employee is hired or an existing employee is terminated or an employee&#39;s duties are changed so as to alter the machines or the areas thereof to which access authorization by the employee is required, all that need be done is an appropriate editing of the database  24  and the issuance of a new personal data card  37 . Similarly, if a card is lost, changing of the identification code for the person involved and the re-issuance of a new card is a simple matter. No change in a physical lock mechanism of any gaming machine is required. 
   While, in the embodiment described above, the database  24  is stored at the host computer  21 , it will be appreciated that it could also be stored at the local controller  31  of each gaming machine  30 . However, in this case, any database changes would have to also be affected at gaming machine. Also, while in the illustrated embodiment only personnel identification data is stored on the personal data card  37 , it would also be possible to store access authorization data on the card  37  so that when the card is input to a card reader at a gaming machine  30 , all areas of that machine to which access is authorized by the card holder could and directly be unlocked without intervention of the host computer. 
   Various types of input devices  35  have been mentioned above. One possible alternative could be the use of an RF device. In some gaming establishments, it is currently known to have floor personnel to carry a device, such as a hand-held, pocketable computing device of the type sold under PALM trademark, by which they can communicate through an RF link with a similar device in a gaming machine for control of certain functions. It would be possible to utilize such a device as the local controller  31  of a gaming machine, and to have the unit hand-held by establishment personnel serve the function of the input device  35 . Such a device within the gaming machine  30  could communicate with a similar device at a host location over an RF communications link, and could communicate by a wired link, such as an RS232 link, to the individual lock mechanism control/monitor circuits  41 . 
   The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8