(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`Cole et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 1, 2004
`
`USOO6743095B2
`
`(54)
`
`INTELLIGENT METERING SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Joseph W. Cole, 7221 Sandy Plains
`Ave., Las Vegas, NV (US) 89131;
`Michael J. Bennett, 3061 Sheridan St.,
`Las Vegas, NV (US) 89102
`
`4,352,104 A
`5,257,179 A
`5,580,310 A
`2002/0109609 A1 *
`>1 cited by examiner
`
`9/1982 Mizuta et 211.
`10/1993 DeMar
`12/1996 OFUS et al~
`8/2002 Potter et a1.
`
`............. 340/9322
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 216 days.
`
`(21) APPL N05 09/872432
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jun. 1, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002/0189917 A1 Dec 19 2002
`'
`’
`(51)
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... A63F 9/24
`(52) US. CL ..............
`463/25; 463/47
`
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 463/25, 30, 31,
`463/39, 43, 47
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Kim Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Weide & Miller, Ltd.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`The present invention is an intelligent metering system for
`currency-activated devices having an electromechanical
`meter. The intelligent metering system includes an inductive
`pickup Winding associated With the electromechanical
`meter. An amplifier is coupled to the inductive pickup
`Winding to boost a signal detected from the inductive pickup
`Winding When electromechanical meter is actuated. A pulse
`detector, coupled to the amplifier, detects pulses,
`false
`triggerings and filters out EMF spikes. A microprocessor is
`coupled to the pulse detector for counting the pulses
`detected by the pulse detector and for storing meter data
`related to the counted pulses in a memory device. An
`interface is coupled to the microprocessor for transmitting
`the meter data from the memory device.
`
`4,004,097 A
`
`1/1977 Spaulding
`
`15 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`200
`
`RS-232 OR RS—422
`
`INFRARED TX/RX
`212
`
`/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PULSE
`DETECTOR
`AMPLIFIER
`
`
`SDA
`12C INTERFACE
`m SCL
`
`
`PULSE COUNTER
`
`
`
`NV MEMORY
`
`STANDARD
`METER
`INTERFACE
`g
`
`
`MECHANICAL METER
`
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 1
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 1, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 0f3
`
`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`22
`
`
`METER
`INTERFACE
`
`20
`
`30
`
` 26
`
`
`
`
`
`MASTER
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`COIN COMPARATOR/ACCEPTOR
`
`COIN HOPPER
`
`33
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. I,
`(PP/OP APT)
`
`104
`
`
`
`
`
`DETECTOR
`
`METER
`
`FIG.2
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`I 02
`
`20
`
`100
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 2
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 1, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 0f3
`
`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`200
`
`RS-232 0R RS—422
`
`
`
`INFRARED TX/RX
`3.7.2
`
`12c INTERFACE
`
`.21_0
`
`:3:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`208
`
`PULSE COUNTER
`
`NV MEMORY
`
`AMPLIFIER
`
`PULSE
`DETECTOR
`
`
`
`
`STANDARD
`METER
`
`INTERFACE
`g
`
`
`
`MECHANICAL METER
`
`
`F/G.3
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 3
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 1, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 0f3
`
`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`300
`
`DETECTING SIGNAL FROM
`INDUCTIVE PICKUP WINDING
`POSITION ED ACTUATOR
`
`ELECTROMAGNET
`
`302
`
`AMPLIFYING SIGNAL FROM
`
`INDUCTIVE PICKUP WINDING
`
`304
`
`DETECTING PULSE FROM
`
`AMPLIFIED SIGNAL
`
`306
`
`COUNTING DETECTED PULSES
`
`308
`
`STORING METER DATA
`RELATED TO COUNTED
`
`PULSES IN MEMORY DEVICE
`
`310
`
`TRANSMITTING METER DATA
`FROM MEMORY DEVICE
`
`THROUGH INTERFACE
`
`F/G.4
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 4
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 4
`
`

`

`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`1
`INTELLIGENT METERING SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to metering systems, and
`more particularly to a method and apparatus for reading
`electromechanical counters electronically, and/or remotely.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The gaming, arcade, and vending machine industry relies
`heavily on electromechanical counters, otherwise referred to
`as meters, to count coin and currency input. These electro-
`mechanical counters are the default standard used by gaming
`compliance agencies and other business entities to keep
`track of the monetary history of these devices. The meters
`report coin-in, coin-out (coins paid out), coins to drop (coins
`that go to the drop bucket), the number of games played, the
`number of jackpots, etc. Vending machines and arcade game
`machines use meters for similar functions.
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`
`15
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`20
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`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of such a meter as used in
`a gaming machine for tracking “coins in”. As illustrated, the
`meter 20 is associated with a meter interface 22. The
`
`interface 22 is normally associated with a master gaming
`machine controller 24. The meter 20 includes a visible count
`
`25
`
`indicator 26 in the form of rotating wheels having numbers
`printed thereon, the wheels cooperating to present a value
`indicative of coin input or other data. Aperson may visually
`inspect the count indicator 26 to obtain the data.
`In use, a signal may be transmitted from a coin comparitor
`30 or hopper 32 indicating that a coin has been received.
`This signal may be transmitted to the master gaming
`machine controller 24. The master gaming machine control-
`ler 24 then sends a signal to the meter interface 22 indicating
`that a coin has been input, and that the meter 20 should be
`caused to increment
`the visible count indicator 26. The
`
`signal from the master gaming machine controller 24 to the
`meter interface 22 is generally in accordance with a unique,
`and often proprietary communication/data protocol. The
`importance of this will be understood below. In any event,
`once the interface receives the data, it sends a signal to the
`meter 20 causing the meter to mechanically rotate one of the
`wheels of the count indicator 26 to reflect the coin input.
`In the gaming industry, electronic systems have been
`devised that tap into the wire leads of the electromechanical
`meters and use an optically-isolated circuit that receives
`current when the meter is energized. This is used to acquire
`what is commonly known as the “soft” count (as opposed to
`a “hard” count, which comprises viewing the visible count
`indicator to obtain the data), because the machine system
`software is used to store the updated meter information in
`the machine logic board, or in a computer database via a
`network from the machine.
`
`The interface and installation of these systems are labor
`intensive and require skilled technicians to properly tap into
`the meters. Errors in the installation can cause the machine
`
`and the meter to malfunction. For example, by tapping into
`the meter leads, the impedance and other electrical charac-
`teristics of the circuit may be substantially altered. This
`alteration may prevent proper operation of the meter.
`Additionally, the amount of circuitry and cabling required to
`interface with all of the various types of machines and
`manufacturers is extensive.
`
`Another problem is that the firmware program required to
`support all of the different installations and machine types is
`extensive and requires very specialized programming skills.
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`the more modem slot machine
`In the gaming industry,
`designs provide meter information via a specialized serial
`interface which, as discussed above, may operate in accor-
`dance with a proprietary protocol. Because slot machine
`vendors often sell electronic slot machine accounting
`systems, they will charge fees to use the protocol. Some of
`these protocols have become industry standards, and the
`owners of these standards charge fees for the latest versions
`or enhancements. Thus, obtaining the meter information by
`tapping into the data lines first requires knowledge of
`ever-changing protocols and complex programming, and
`may also require payment to the slot machine vendor which
`owns the rights in the proprietary protocol.
`No matter how new the design of the machine is and the
`protocol for data transfer with its interface, however, the
`electromechanical meter is still the standard for measure-
`ment. Just like an odometer in an automobile, it must be
`reliable and trusted and not easily tampered with. The
`electromechanical meter manufacturers design these devices
`to work reliably for millions of cycles. The meters are placed
`in machines to function autonomously. They are mounted in
`the machine housing, and even if the logic board of a
`machine is changed (such as putting a new game into an old
`machine, using new hardware and/or software), the meters
`remain intact. In a gaming environment, a meter change in
`a slot machine, or any other gaming machine, must be
`reported to the appropriate gaming compliance agency.
`Nevertheless, electromechanical counters are sill prone to
`tampering. Although these electromechanical counters do
`not have a reset feature, they still may be physically altered.
`Furthermore,
`a person reading the electromechanical
`counter may mistakenly misread and record the number
`shown on the meter, or an unscrupulous individual may
`deliberately record the wrong number. Therefore, inaccurate
`data of the financial performance of the machines would be
`reported. The ability to tamper with the counters to meters
`without detection has lead to abuse by unscrupulous collec-
`tors and service personnel who may decrease the number of
`games played (or coins inserted, etc.) in order to collect the
`unreported portion of the revenue.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention comprises an intelligent metering
`system.
`In one embodiment,
`the invention comprises a
`secondary metering system associated with a primary meter-
`ing system which includes an electromechanical meter.
`In one embodiment,
`the intelligent metering system
`includes a detector for passively detecting an event of the
`electromechanical meter. In a preferred embodiment, such
`an event comprises the receipt of an electrical signal acti-
`vating the electromechanical meter for incrementing or
`decrementing a visible count indicator of the meter. The
`detector provides an output to a controller. The controller
`manipulates the detector output, such as by counting output
`signal pulses and/or transmitting an output.
`In one embodiment, the detector comprises an inductive
`pickup coil or winding. The controller includes an amplifier
`coupled to the inductive pickup winding to boost a signal
`detected from the inductive pickup winding, a pulse detector
`coupled to the amplifier for detecting pulses, a micropro-
`cessor coupled to the pulse detector for counting the pulses
`detected by the pulse detector and for storing meter data
`related to the counted pulses in a memory device, and an
`interface coupled to the microprocessor for transmitting the
`meter data from the memory device.
`In one embodiment, the inductive pickup coil comprises
`a secondary winding on an actuator electromagnet of the
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 5
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 5
`
`

`

`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`3
`electromechanical meter. In another embodiment, the induc-
`tive pickup coil is located in a housing positioned adjacent
`the electromechanical meter.
`
`the interface associated
`In one or more embodiments,
`with the microprocessor comprises a wireless communica-
`tion interface. The wireless interface may implement an
`infrared or wireless frequency communication protocol/
`architecture.
`
`Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
`invention over the prior art will become apparent from the
`detailed description of the drawings which follows, when
`considered with the attached figures.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an electromechanical meter and associ-
`
`ated control in accordance with the prior art;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the intelligent metering
`system in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a particular implemen-
`tation of an intelligent metering system according to an
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the steps of a method of
`reading an electromechanical meter according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The invention is an intelligent metering system. In the
`following description, numerous specific details are set forth
`in order to provide a more thorough description of the
`present
`invention.
`It will be apparent, however,
`to one
`skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced
`without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
`features have not been described in detail so as not
`to
`obscure the invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an intelligent
`metering system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention. As illustrated, the intelligent metering
`system 100 comprises a secondary metering system associ-
`ated with a primary metering system. Preferably, the primary
`metering system comprises a metering system such as that
`illustrated in detail in FIG. 1, including an electromechanical
`meter 20. As detailed above, such a primary metering system
`may include a meter interface for generating an electrical
`signal which activates the electromechanical meter, causing
`the meter to actuate. In one embodiment, the actuation is of
`a visible indicator of the meter.
`
`In accordance with the invention, the intelligent metering
`system includes a detector 102 and a controller 104. In
`general, the detector, 102 is arranged to detect a meter event.
`In one embodiment, the detector 102 is arranged to detect a
`signal associated with the incrementing/decrementing of the
`meter 20, and more particularly the visible count indicator
`thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
`detector 102 comprises a “passive” detector, in that it is
`arranged to detect such an event/signal without needing to
`directly intercept the signal. In one embodiment, the detector
`102 comprises a field sensor (such as described below in
`detail).
`In another embodiment, the detector 102 may be arranged
`to detect a meter event by other than detection of the signal.
`For example,
`the detector 102 may comprise an optical
`sensor for detecting the movement of one or more of the
`wheels or other moving mechanical indicators of the meter
`20. In another embodiment, the detector 102 may comprise
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`a reader, such as a camera or other optical reader for reading
`the visible count indicator itself.
`
`The detector 102 is arranged to provide an output signal
`to the controller 104. The controller 104 may comprise a
`wide variety of devices/components. Preferably, the control-
`ler 104 comprises a device which receives the detector 102
`output signal and manipulates or transfers that signal. In one
`embodiment, the controller 104 may use the signal as an
`input to change a data value in a memory, the data value
`associated with the signal event (such as the counting of
`coins input). In another embodiment, the controller 104 may
`output the signal or other data to a remote device or devices,
`such as a remote accounting system where data is tracked
`and stored.
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a metering
`system 200 in accordance with the invention.
`In this
`embodiment,
`the detector comprises an inductive pickup
`winding or coil 201. In one embodiment, the pickup coil 201
`may be located adjacent to the meter 20 for detecting a
`magnetic flux generated by an electrical signal/impulse. In
`this embodiment,
`the coil 201 may be positioned in a
`housing which is mounted adjacent to or directly to the
`meter 20. The construction of the coil 201, including the
`number of windings, may vary depending on the desired
`sensitivity,
`the distance of the coil 201 from the wires
`carrying the electrical signal
`in the meter 20, and the
`strength of the signal in the meter 20, among other factors.
`In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the detector
`is a passive detector, in that only by activation of the meter
`20 is the detector (i.e. coil 201) activated.
`In another embodiment of the invention a standard elec-
`
`tromechanical counter may be manufactured with a second-
`ary winding on the actuator electromagnet of the electro-
`mechanical meter 20. This secondary winding is used as the
`inductive pickup winding/coil 201. The inductive pickup
`coil 201 is used in conjunction with the electronic circuits of
`the metering system to sense and count the counter actua-
`tions without affecting the normal operation or reliability of
`the electromechanical meter 20. In one embodiment, the
`inductive pickup winding 201 is preferably formed from
`15—17 turns of an enamel-coated 34-gauge solid copper
`w1re.
`
`In this embodiment, the controller comprises an amplifier
`202, a pulse detector 204, a pulse counter 206, and a memory
`208: The amplifier 202 boosts a signal from the inductive
`pickup winding 201 when the actuator electromagnet is
`actuated so that the signal has enough amplitude to trigger
`the pulse detector 204. For example, when currency is
`placed into a slot machine, the slot machine determines the
`value of the currency deposited, and then transmits an
`actuation signal to the actuator electromagnet of the elec-
`tromechanical meter 20 to actuate the meter 20 a specific
`number of times depending on the value of the currency and
`the value of the units to be registered by the meter 20. For
`example,.if a dollar is inserted into the slot machine and the
`electromechanical meter 20 stores the units in increments of
`
`25 cents, then the actuator electromagnet will receive four
`actuation signals to add four “turns” to the electromechani-
`cal meter 20. When the electrical signal
`is sent
`to the
`actuator electromagnet to turn the electromechanical meter
`20, the inductive pickup coil 201, along with the electronic
`circuits of the metering system, passively detects, counts and
`records each of the signals made to the actuator electromag-
`net.
`
`The pulse detector 204 preferably comprises a comparator
`circuit with hysteresis so as to illuminate false triggering and
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 6
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 6
`
`

`

`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`5
`to filter out EMP spikes, along with its primary purpose of
`detecting pulses.
`In one or more embodiments of the
`invention, the pulse detector 204 may simply comprise a
`low-pass filter.
`The microprocessor 206 is used to count the pulses as the
`electromechanical meter 20 is actuated. The microprocessor
`206 may be of a variety of types. In one embodiment, the
`microprocessor 206 comprises an 8-bit microcontroller such
`as a Phillips Semiconductor Model 87C751 microprocessor.
`In one embodiment,
`the microprocessor 206 is also
`adapted to store pulse/count meter data in a memory device
`208. In a preferred embodiment, the memory device 208
`comprises a non-volatile memory device such as an Amtel
`93C46 electrically-erasable programmable read-only
`(EEPROM) memory chip. The memory device 208 may be
`of a variety of other
`types,
`including RAM, DRAM,
`SDRAM and the like.
`
`In one embodiment, the intelligent metering system 200
`includes means for transmitting meter data to a remote
`device. Preferably, this means comprises a communication
`interface associated with the microprocessor 206 for out-
`putting data therefrom.
`In one embodiment, first and second interfaces 210 and
`212 may be coupled to the microprocessor 206 to transmit
`the meter data to an external device. For example,
`the
`microprocessor 206 may utilize an industry standard 12C
`3-wire interface 210, or a standard EIA RS-232 or RS-422
`interface 212, or both, for connecting to a networked elec-
`tronic accounting system, or to an external receiving device.
`Optionally, a wireless transceiver interface (not shown) may
`also be used to download the meter data to a palm-top
`computer device, a laptop computer, or other similar receiv-
`ing device equipped with a port capable of interfacing with
`the transceiver. The wireless interface may be adapted to
`implement an infrared or radio frequency communication
`architecture/protocol, such as BluetoothTM or IEEE 802.11
`0))
`The intelligent metering system according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention may be especially useful for
`acquiring slot machine, vending machine, or arcade machine
`hard count meter data (electromechanical readings)
`remotely via radio frequency, or via a land-based media,
`such as over a telephone line or a paging system.
`In addition to currency-driven machines, such as slot or
`other gaming machines, vending machines, or arcade
`machines, the intelligent metering system may be utilized in
`any device having an electromechanical meter or counter,
`such as in a printing or photocopier machine. Therefore,
`service personnel do not need to open up the machine and
`read the electromechanical meter, but may only need to
`simply connect a portable receiving device, such as a
`hand-held computer, into the interface of the printing or
`photocopier machine to read and record the meter data.
`The intelligent metering system according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention does not require any other
`special
`interface in order to detect
`the actuation of the
`electromechanical meter. In addition, no special protocols
`are required, as industry standard interfaces are used to
`transmit data from the metering system.
`Therefore, in utilizing the intelligent metering system of
`the present invention, an accurate “hard” count reading may
`be obtained, and the values may also be compared with the
`electromechanical meter in order to verify accuracy, as well
`as determining whether the electromechanical meter itself
`has been tampered. Furthermore, the values obtained from
`the intelligent metering system are as reliable as the “hard”
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`count reading because the intelligent metering system is
`entirely passive and dependent upon the actuation of the
`actuator electromagnet of the electromechanical meter 20.
`That is, it “counts” a pulse only when the electromechanical
`meter 20 is actuated and requires no active input (such as
`electrical leads carrying a live current). Therefore, the intel-
`ligent metering system does not have live wires connected to
`it in order to receive direct signals each time the actuator
`electromagnet of the electromechanical meter 20 receives a
`signal.
`The intelligent metering system is preferably self-
`contained and entirely separate from the logic/circuit board
`of the machine in which it is placed. The self-contained
`intelligent metering system is such that any tampering with
`the logic/circuit board of the machine will not affect the
`intelligent metering system. And, to be as tamper resistant as
`possible,
`the intelligent metering system should not be
`dependent upon external power sources; that is, the micro-
`processor 206 and the memory 208 should be self-powered
`and maintenance free. The intelligent metering system
`should be functional in the event of a power failure, or even
`when no power at all is provided to the machine it which it
`is placed. Furthermore, the memory 208 should be unable to
`receive inputs from any other source except from the micro-
`processor 206 of the intelligent metering system. In addition,
`the intelligent metering system should be secure enough so
`that tampering of any of its components, especially the
`microprocessor 206 and the memory 208, is not possible, or
`that the intelligent metering system is capable of recognizing
`when tampering has occurred and recording such informa-
`tion. Therefore, the intelligent metering system, working in
`conjunction with the electromechanical meter 20, is capable
`of providing accurate and reliable “hard” count meter data,
`and accurate transmission of the meter data may be per-
`formed via the interface. The intelligent metering system
`also provides a reliable and accurate system for storing
`meter data that is more tamper resistant than electrome-
`chanical meters or counters.
`
`An advantage of the intelligent metering system of the
`invention is that it can be associated with an existing primary
`metering system already in use in a device. Thus,
`the
`intelligent metering system can easily be adapted in “retro-
`fit” fashion to an existing device. In one embodiment, the
`retrofit comprises the installation of the detector (such as
`winding 201) near the meter 20, along with the controller. In
`an embodiment where the detector comprises a secondary
`winding on the actuator electromagnet of the electrome-
`chanical meter 20, then the actuator electromagnet of the
`meter 20 or the entire meter 20 may be replaced.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the steps of reading
`an electromechanical meter according to an embodiment of
`the present invention. Using the intelligent metering system
`according to an embodiment of the present
`invention
`described above, step 300 shows that a signal is first detected
`from the inductive pickup winding 201 positioned on the
`actuator electromagnet of the electromechanical meter 20
`when the actuator electromagnet is actuated. In step 302, the
`detected signal from the inductive pickup winding 201 is
`amplified. Then in step 304, a pulse is detected from each
`amplified signal. The pulse is preferably detected by the
`pulse detector 204 that comprises a comparator circuit
`having hysteresis for detecting the pulses, detecting false
`triggerings, and filtering EMP spikes. In step 306, each of
`the detected pulses are counted, preferably by the micro-
`processor device 206. The microprocessor 206 preferably
`has a ROM or firmware storing microcode instructions for
`execution by the microprocessor 206 to count the detected
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 7
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 7
`
`

`

`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`7
`pulses and store them as meter data. Meter data related to the
`counted pulses are then preferably stored by the micropro-
`cessor 206 in the memory device 208, such as a nonvolatile
`memory device, as in step 308. In step 310, the meter data
`may be transmitted from the memory device 208 through the
`interface 210 and 212. The interface 210 and 212 may be any
`standard type of interface, such as an 12C interface, or an
`RS-232 or RS-422 interface. As mentioned above, the meter
`data may be transmitted to any receiving device, such as a
`hand-held or laptop computer, adapted to interface with the
`intelligent metering system to receive the meter data.
`The intelligent metering system may be adapted for use
`with a variety of primary metering systems. As detailed, the
`intelligent metering system is used with a primary metering
`system including an electromechanical meter for generating
`“coin in” count data. The system of the invention may be
`used with primary metering systems having electromechani-
`cal meters for generating a wide variety of other count data,
`such as coins out and the like.
`
`In one or more embodiments, more than one-intelligent
`metering system may be provided when a gaming machine
`includes more than one electromechanical meter. In one
`
`embodiment, the intelligent metering system may include a
`single controller 104 and a plurality of detectors 102, the
`detectors 102 associated with a plurality of electromechani-
`cal meters. In such event, the single controller 104 may be
`adapted to use the output signals from the plurality of
`detectors 102 to generate a plurality of count data.
`In one or more embodiments of the invention, the intel-
`ligent metering system may be used with electronic meters.
`Such meters may be provided an input signal which causes
`an electronic display of count data to be incremented. In this
`arrangement,
`the mechanical
`indicator (wheels, etc.) are
`replaced with an LCD, LED or other electrically powered or
`operated display.
`While the description above refers to particular embodi-
`ments of the present invention, it will be understood that
`many modifications may be made without departing from
`the spirit thereof The accompanying claims are intended to
`cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope
`and spirit of the present invention.
`We claim:
`
`1. In a gaming machine, an intelligent metering system for
`a coin-counting electromechanical meter of said gaming
`machine which meter which is configured to increment in
`response to an input signal thereto, comprising:
`an inductive pickup winding associated with said electro-
`mechanical meter, said pickup winding configured to
`detect said input signal to said electromechanical meter
`and create a signal in response thereto;
`an amplifier coupled to the inductive pickup winding to
`boost said signal generated by the inductive pickup
`winding created in response to said detected input
`signal;
`a pulse detector, coupled to the amplifier, for detecting
`pulses comprising said boosted signal;
`a microprocessor coupled to the pulse detector for count-
`ing the pulses detected by the pulse detector and for
`storing meter data related to the counted pulses in a
`memory device; and
`an interface coupled to the microprocessor for transmit-
`ting the meter data from the memory device.
`2. The intelligent metering system in accordance with
`claim 1 wherein said electromechanical meter includes an
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`actuator electromagnet and said inductive pickup winding
`comprises a secondary winding of said actuator electromag-
`net.
`
`3. The intelligent metering system according to claim 2,
`wherein the inductive pickup winding is formed with 15 to
`17 turns of enamel-coated 34-gauge solid copper wire.
`4. The intelligent metering system according to claim 1,
`wherein said inductive pickup winding is located in a
`housing adjacent said electromechanical meter.
`5. The intelligent metering system according to claim 1,
`wherein the memory device comprises a re-writeable
`memory device.
`6. The intelligent metering system according to claim 1,
`wherein the interface is a wireless communication interface.
`
`7. The intelligent metering system according to claim 6,
`wherein the interface includes an infrared transceiver circuit
`
`for transmitting the meter data to a receiving device having
`an infrared port.
`8. The intelligent metering system according to claim 1,
`wherein the pulse detector comprises a comparator circuit
`with hysteresis.
`9. The intelligent metering system according to claim 1,
`including a meter interface adapted to send an electrical
`signal to said electromechanical meter for causing actuation
`of said meter.
`
`10. A method of reading a coin-counting electromechani-
`cal meter of a gaming machine, the method comprising the
`steps of:
`creating an output signal with an inductive pickup wind-
`ing in response to an input signal provided to said
`electromechanical meter associated with a coin-
`
`counting increment of said electromechanical meter;
`detecting said output signal from said inductive pickup
`winding;
`amplifying the output signal from the inductive pickup
`winding;
`detecting a pulse from the amplified signal;
`counting the detected pulses;
`storing meter data related to the counted pulses in a
`memory device; and
`transmitting the meter data from the memory device
`through an interface.
`11. The method of reading an electromechanical meter
`according to claim 10, wherein the step of detecting the
`pulse from the amplified signal is performed by a pulse
`detector comprising a comparator circuit with hysteresis for
`detecting pulses, detecting false triggerings and filtering out
`EMP spikes.
`12. The method of reading an electromechanical meter
`according to claim 10, wherein the step of counting the
`detected pulses is performed by a microprocessor.
`13. The method of reading an electromechanical meter
`according to claim 10, wherein said transmitting step com-
`prises transmitting said meter data via a wireless commu-
`nication link.
`
`14. In combination, an electromechanical coin-counting
`meter of a gaming machine, said meter including a mechani-
`cal count indicator, a meter interface adapted to generate an
`electrical signal for causing said electromechanical meter to
`actuate said mechanical count indicator, and a secondary
`metering system, said secondary metering system including
`at least one pickup coil associated with said electromechani-
`cal meter, said at least one pickup coil adapted to generate
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 8
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`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 8
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`US 6,743,095 B2
`
`9
`a pulse in response to the activation of said electromechani-
`cal meter, and a processor adapted to count pulses generated
`by said at least one pickup coil.
`15. The combination in accordance With claim 14, includ-
`ing at least one coin accepting deVice associated With said
`meter interface, said at
`least one coin accepting deVice
`
`10
`adapted to output a signal associated With the receipt of a
`coin, and wherein said meter interface is configured to
`generate said electrical signal in response to the input of said
`signal Which is output from said coin accepting deVice.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 9
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`Petitioner Kiosoft Exhibit 1014
`Page 9
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