Input/output interface and device abstraction

Abstract

An electronic Input/Output Interface and device abstraction system used in gaming machines includes: a game central processing unit (game “CPU”); an intelligent input/output controller board (“IOCB”); an Industry Standard Architecture PC bus (“ISA” bus); and a framed message transport protocol. The IOCB facilitates communications between the game CPU and virtual device services, which are peripheral devices associated with the gaming system. The game CPU communicates to gaming peripherals by sending virtual device messages across the ISA bus to the IOCB. The IOCB routes virtual device messages to appropriate virtual device services. Virtual device services are responsible for handling specific hardware, and include virtual device drivers on the game CPU that communicate with virtual devices on the IOCB. Use of the IOCB and the high speed interface enables the game CPU to use more of its available functions for controlling gaming functions rather than one operation of its associated peripheral devices.

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