Distinguishing multiple peripherals in wagering game

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to physically locate substantially similar or identical universal serial bus (USB) peripherals by receiving matching identification information from a plurality of USB peripherals coupled to a wagering game machine, and associating each one of the USB peripherals having the matching identification information with a corresponding predetermined physical location. Association may occur via automated reading of location indication devices, such as USB hubs having location-specific coupled to the USB peripherals. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving matching identification information from a plurality of universal serial bus peripherals communicatively coupled to a wagering game machine; and   associating each one of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information with a corresponding predetermined physical location, the physical location being uniquely specified in relation to the wagering game machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the matching identification information comprises:
 at least one of a product identification, a vendor identification, or a device driver identification.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving comprises:
 presenting a human-sensible signal associated with at least one of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information; and   receiving an indication of a user input device activation.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the human-sensible signal comprises a query on a video display, and wherein the indication results from detecting at least one of a keyboard input, a touch screen input, a voice recognizer input, or a joystick input. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 communicating with at least one universal serial bus hub coupled in a one-to-one correspondence with at least one of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information to obtain location-specific information assigned to the at least one universal serial bus hub.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 modifying at least some of the matching identification information provided by some of the plurality of universal serial bus peripherals, or hub identification information provided by at least one universal serial bus hub coupled to the plurality of universal serial bus peripherals, to provide modified information; and   processing the modified information as location indication information when communicating with the plurality of universal serial bus peripherals.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 applying at least one of an enable signal or power to at least some of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information in a predetermined sequence associated with multiple physical locations.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor;   a memory to store at least a portion of a software program which, when executed by the at least one processor, is associated with presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered;   a plurality of universal serial bus peripherals to provide matching identification information as part of a power-up sequence initiated prior to presenting the wagering game; and   at least one of a location indication device, a universal serial bus hub, or a user input device to provide information to enable associating each one of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information with a corresponding predetermined physical location, the physical location being uniquely specified in relation to the wagering game machine.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the location indication device includes at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) location circuit, an orientation-sensitive switch, a radiolocation device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a power supply line, an enable line, or a non-volatile memory having location-specific information stored therein. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising:
 a memory to store a data structure associating the matching identification information with a plurality of physical locations.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein
 the information is provided responsive to queries provided by a peripheral location module.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the user input device comprises one of a keyboard, a touch screen, and a joystick. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein universal serial bus hub includes a physical location indication circuit. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the physical location indication circuit comprises:
 a switch having plural settings, a hard-coded conductor value, a global positioning system (GPS) location circuit, an orientation-sensitive switch, a radiolocation device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a power supply line, an enable line, and a non-volatile memory having location-specific information stored therein.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of universal serial bus peripherals to provide matching identification information comprise:
 at least one of a pair of slot machine reel controllers, a pair of video screens, a pair of touch screens, a pair of keyboards, a pair of joysticks, or a pair of light boards.   
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a wagering game machine having at least one processor, a memory to store at least a portion of a software program which, when executed by the at least one processor, is associated with presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered, and a plurality of universal serial bus peripherals to provide matching identification information as part of a power-up sequence initiated prior to presenting the wagering game;   at least one of a location indication device or a user input device to provide information to enable associating each one of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information with a corresponding predetermined physical location, the physical location being uniquely specified in relation to the wagering game machine; and   a wagering game server to couple to the wagering game machine.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the location indication device comprises a universal serial bus hub, a global positioning system (GPS) location circuit, an orientation-sensitive switch, a radiolocation device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a power supply line, an enable line, or a non-volatile memory having location-specific information stored therein. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the location indication device is located outside of a housing containing the wagering game machine. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 presenting a query associated with a selected one of the plurality of universal serial bus peripherals on a video screen; and   receiving information indicating the corresponding predetermined physical location.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving information from at least one location indication device to enable associating each one of the universal serial bus peripherals having the matching identification information with the corresponding predetermined physical location.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled)